Court Reporter

Job Summary

Records, transcribes and maintains records of court proceedings. Furnishes transcripts of court proceedings to requesting parties. Provides equipment used in performing duties, including stenographic machine, computers, software and printers, along with necessary reference materials.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Court Services job family. This classification is distinguished in that incumbents must be certified by the State of Texas Court Reporters. This classification is a highly specialized classification and not part of a series. This classification is responsible for preparing transcripts of court proceedings. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attends sessions of court and records all proceedings of evidence, objections, rulings, voir dire of jury duty and arguments. Records all objections to admissibility of evidence, court rulings and remarks of the objections and exceptions to the rulings.
• Makes full record of jury arguments and voir dire examinations when requested by attorney for any party to a case, together with all objections to such arguments, rulings and remarks of court.
• Documents files with courts exhibits and indexes, and files notes taken in courts. Preserves shorthand or machine notes taken in court for period required by law and prepares transcripts for appeals or other future legal proceedings.
• Prepares official transcripts of all evidence or court proceedings, subject to laws of the State, the rules and instructions of presiding judge of the court, for appeals or future court use. Certifies the accuracy of court transcripts. Responds to requests of official transcripts.
• May serve as a liaison to attorneys, judges, other County departments and staff, officials and general public. Provides information relating to court hearings and charges.
• May conduct depositions of witnesses. May receive, execute and return commissions. May make a certificate of proceedings in any County that is included in the judicial district of the court. May prepare jury charges in civil cases.
• May perform administrative support duties as assigned for administrative functions of the court.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Must pass two (2) proficiency tests consisting of 180 wpm literary, 200 wpm jury charge, and 225 wpm Q & A, depending on nature of dictation used, to become eligible for certification. Certification exam consists of two (2) sections, Part A and Part B. Part A requires a minimum passing grade of at least ninety-five (95%) percent accuracy on the certification exam and Part B requires a minimum passing grade of seventy-five (75%) percent.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) in the State of Texas.

Texas Certified Court Reporters are required to complete continuing education pursuant to the rules promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court.

Preferred:

Graduation from an accredited Court Reporting school.

Two (2) years of experience as a Certified Court Reporter.

Knowledge of:

• Machine shorthand theory and minimum standards established for certification as a Certified Court Reporter.
• Texas law and court procedures, terminology, record keeping practices and procedures, and Court decorum.
• Federal, State, Local and County laws, rules, regulations and guidelines relating to court reporting services.
• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Coordinating and prioritizing the work and activities of self.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Apply correct English grammar and spelling, vocabulary, medical and legal terminology.
• Record, transcribe and maintain records of court proceedings.
• Listen attentively for long periods of time.
• Operate a stenotype machine to record and prepare accurate and complete official records.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Continue professional growth through continuing education.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-25 pounds, extensive detailed record keepings by machine or shorthand, extensive periods of sitting, typing, writing, and listening to recordings to perform the essential functions. Subject to continual contact with persons accused or convicted of crimes. Subject to stressful court environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Works some holidays, Works some weekends Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704 Department: Juvenile Probation Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions on this position, contact: View email address on click.appcast.io This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification. On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous