Job Description

Court Reporter I

The Court Reporter I records stenographically and produces transcripts of court proceedings to provide litigants with the ability to appeal decisions rendered by the court. Criminal background check is required. The Official Court Reporters Department at the County of Chester is seeking court reporters to provide stenographic and transcription services to the Court of Common Pleas. The successful applicant must have the appropriate court reporting certification, proof of passing at 95% accuracy literary testing at 180 wpm, jury charge testing at 200 wpm and testimony testing at 225 wpm; a minimum of two years' prior court reporting experience; an understanding of courtroom procedures and vocabulary, including medical and legal terminology, proficiency in reporting and computerized transcribing. Applicant must be able to sit for extended periods of time while recording testimony. Applicant is responsible for providing their own stenographic machine, hardware, transcription software and personal printer. Preferred skills, Knowledge and Experience: RPR and/or CART ability.

Essential Duties

Court Reporter

• Verbatim recording of judicial proceedings.
• Prepare transcripts for litigants, attorneys, and the Court.
• Correspond with attorneys, judges, and the public.
• Perform other office duties, tasks, and special projects, as required.

Domestic Relations

• Verbatim recording of judicial proceedings.
• Prepare transcripts for litigants, attorneys, and the court.
• Deliver transcripts to law firms and the Post Office.
• Answer inquiries regarding costs and timelines of transcripts.
• Read testimony to Hearing Officers that need their decision(s).
• Work with support staff.
• Fill out transcripts with county offices.
• Perform other office duties, tasks, and special projects, as required.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Six months to one year of job-related experience and/or training.
• Professional training to perform verbatim reporting and transcription of testimony at high speeds.
• Ability to use a stenographer machine and computer software to produce accurate transcripts.
• Excellent listening skills in order to provide verbatim transcription.
• Manual dexterity and the ability to efficiently type and transcribe at very high speed.
• Ability to use the court reporting software package.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Accurate and detail oriented.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent spelling and grammar skills.
• A valid driver's license is required.

• Associate's degree in Court Reporting from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of experience as an intern or freelance Court Reporter.
• RPR and NCRA Membership.
• Knowledge of court system workings and appeal procedures.
• Strong vocabulary and grammar skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Intermediate Microsoft Windows skills.
• Intermediate Word skills.
• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar).
• Court Reporting software skills.
• Strong skills with a computerized stenotype machine.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, operate a steno machine, and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee will be required to drive a vehicle to and from different locations. On rare occasions, the employee will need to stand or walk. Specific vision requirements are as follows:

• Ability to focus on attorneys, litigants, and courtroom personnel.
• Close vision in order to read steno notes in court upon request.
• Ability to spend extended periods proofreading.

Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Will have to sit in one position for extended periods of time. Will need to deal with litigants with varying medical conditions.

Other: This position requires professionalism. Confidentiality is crucial to this position. Professional training to comply with the requirements of Pennsylvania Rules of the Court governing court reporting and transcribing.

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