Job Description

POSITION: Court Reporter

DEPARTMENT: Circuit Court

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY: COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

DATE WRITTEN: November 2006 STATUS: Full-time

DATE REVISED: February 2023 FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Court Reporter for St. Joseph Circuit Court, responsible for recording, reporting, and preparing records of proceedings.

DUTIES :

Ensures the accurate recording of Court proceedings and actions in accordance with applicable state and local rules and statutes, transcribing and typing trials and hearing transcripts, and distributing copies to appropriate parties.

Reproduces records as requested or ordered in accordance with applicable rules. Prepares and files trial transcript for appellate review and/or other post-trial proceedings.

Maintains the integrity of exhibits offered into evidence at trial, collecting exhibits and recording status of each exhibit in a detailed exhibit log.

Types and maintains chronological case summaries (CCS) into court case management system for each case hearing, including showing filings and rulings on the docket, and composes forms of order from stenotype notes as requested by presiding Judge.

Prepares and submits to Clerk various court documents, such as court orders, quarterly reports, transcripts, records of judgments, and orders.

Maintains stenotype notes, court hearing attendance records, exhibits, and exhibit logs for future review as requested and pursuant to statutory requirements.

Attends Court hearings, including running records and taking notes during the hearing. Prepares orders from hearings for filing and processes all paperwork through E-filing and mail.

Maintains accurate and organized records and files and prepares related reports as required,

and manages and maintains inventory of records sent to archival storage.

Prepares body attachment documents and court orders as needed.

Prepares invoices for transcripts and compiles reports of transcript income for state authorities as required.

Performs various clerical duties, such as preparing mail, opening mail, making copies, filing, typing letters, and running monthly back-up of court proceedings. Maintains department calendar, including setting court hearings.

Answers telephone and greets office visitors, providing information and assistance, responding to inquiries including attorneys, answering public questions, and directing calls to appropriate individual or taking messages as needed.

Performs duties of coworkers in their absence or as needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK :

Associate Degree with concentration in court reporting or captioning. Bachelor’s degree and/or legal education certification with experience as Official Court Reporter preferred. Stenography certification or experience optional.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Ability to meet all hiring requirements including passage of a drug screening and medical exam.

Thorough knowledge of standard practices and procedures of the Court, legal terminology, and standard legal documents and petitions, with ability to properly record proceedings, update Court cases through case management system, and prepare written orders.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to adhere to ethical restrictions and requirements set by Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct.

Practical knowledge or and ability to make practical application of local, state, and federal regulations, Indiana statues, standard practices and procedures of the court, Court Reporter manuals, and legal terminology of the criminal justice system.

Practical knowledge of standard court reporting processes and ability to read and record verbatim court proceedings, prepare abstracts, and use digital recordings.

Practical knowledge of basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, email, and Department-specific software and applications such as case management systems, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of appellate law, with ability to prepare trial transcripts accordingly.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to accurately transcribe voice recordings and prepare correspondence, detailed reports, and legal documents as required.

Ability to take Court notes, type with speed and accuracy, and properly operate standard office equipment, including computer and transcription software, keyboard, calculator, transcriber, copier, telephone, steno machine, and fax machine.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, Clerk’s Office, Court personnel, Prosecutor’s Office, Adult Probation, County Jail, attorneys, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate or hostile persons.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure.

Ability to file, post, and mail materials.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan and layout work assignments, and read and interpret detailed prints, sketches, and/or specifications.

Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic operations.

Ability to compile, classify, observe, and analyze data and make data-driven decisions.

Ability to occasionally work extended hours and evenings.

II. RESPONSIBILITY :

Incumbent performs duties according to established procedures and policies of the Court with priorities primarily determined by service needs of the public, supervisor, and a formal schedule. Assignments and objectives are set jointly by incumbent and supervisor and decisions are always determined by specific instructions or existing, well-established policies and procedures. Work is primarily reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with legal requirements. Errors in work are usually detected or prevented through prior instructions from supervisor, legally defined procedures, and/or notification from other departments, agencies, or the public. Undetected errors could result in loss of time to correct error and work delays in other departments.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS :

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, Clerk’s Office, Court personnel, Prosecutor’s Office, Adult Probation, County Jail, attorneys, and the public for purposes of exchanging information and rendering service.

Incumbent reports directly to Circuit Court Judge and/or Magistrate Judge with oversight from the Circuit Court Administrator.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and in a courtroom, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, keyboarding, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects weighing less than 25 pounds, bending/reaching, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, close/far vision, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent maintains considerable contact with the public and may be exposed to irate or hostile individuals.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended hours and evenings.

V. OTHER :

The incumbent is a court employee. All court employees are required to maintain a high ethical standard both at work and outside of work. All court employees are bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct and must ensure that their actions are ethical in compliance with the Code.

APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The job description for the position of Court Reporter for St. Joseph Circuit Court describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position. I acknowledge that I have received this job description, and understand that it is not a contract of employment. I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions.

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