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Form of workSPECIAL INFORMATION:
- Full-time position available; may consider Part-time.
- Court reporters may retain transcript fees, pursuant to 3-5-604 MCA.
- Successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check.
- An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period.
Nature of Work:
This is highly responsible, advanced skill, technical work as an Official Court Reporter for the Honorable Judge Leslie Halligan of the Fourth Judicial District in Missoula, Montana.
Duties include attending sittings of court, capturing a verbatim record of court proceedings using a stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription (CAT) software, and providing to the bench an instantaneous Realtime feed of the proceedings. A high degree of accuracy is required. Transcripts are prepared and distributed in accordance with rules of court, state statutes, and policies. The Court Reporter exercises considerable independent judgment in all aspects of job performance. Work is reviewed and evaluated by the judge or court administrator.
Essential Functions: (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties that may be performed.)
- Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 3-5-603, solely responsible for capturing and preserving a verbatim record of court proceedings using a stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription software.
- Set up and dismantle stenographic machine and computerized Realtime reporting hardware and software, audio, and other related equipment in the courtroom, conference rooms, judge's chambers, or other locations as directed by the judge.
- Maintain a complete record of all verbal communications and, to the extent necessary, to provide an intelligible record including nonverbal incidents in the proceedings.
- Remind parties, as necessary, to speak clearly and one at a time to ensure the integrity of a verbatim record.
- During proceedings, upon request of the judge or litigants, locate and read back portions of proceedings. Maintain a high level of concentration and attentiveness throughout all court proceedings, regardless of disruptions and other unpredictable and adverse conditions.
- Utilizes computer equipment and software for preparation of transcripts.
- Create and regularly edit, update, and maintain computer-aided transcription dictionaries.
- Transcribe, proofread, certify, and distribute official transcripts.
- Archive stenographic and associated files pursuant to Judicial Branch policy.
- Provide Court Reporter coverage for other judges within assigned district and other judges sitting on proceedings held in assigned district. Remain current on computerized court reporting technology.
- Communicate with litigants and the public regarding requests for official transcripts.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in a courtroom, hearing room, conference room, judge's chambers, office setting, and by Zoom or other electronic audio-visual platform. May include travel assignments.
Physical Demands:
Work requires extended periods of listening, concentration, and operation of a keyboard or stenograph machine and may include lifting and transporting stenographic and computer equipment to assigned courthouse locations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an approved high school supplemented by graduation from a post-secondary court reporting program approved by NCRA and the Montana Supreme Court. Experience as an official Court Reporter in a courtroom setting is preferred, but new court-reporting graduates encouraged to apply.
Licensure and Certification Requirements:
Preferred but not required - Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification and Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification, maintained by obtaining required continuing education units, in accordance with certification guidelines established by NCRA.
