Court Reporter-Electronic or Steno (01001)

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)\:

Preference given to graduates of a post-secondary court reporting (stenography) 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.

Relevant experience may substitute for prior stenography program completion where the candidate can demonstrate excellent typing skills, ability to operate and troubleshoot computerized recording systems, ability to produce transcripts, and understanding of court procedures.

This position is posted until filled. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

• Cover Letter

• Three Professional References

Applications with missing required documents will not be reviewed in the hiring process. 

When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

 

This position is in Helena, MT. Helena exists as a crossroads between past and present, tame and untamed, mountainous wilderness and hometown warmth. A place where you can hike for miles without seeing a soul, stroll through our charming downtown, and enjoy breweries with breathtaking views—all in the same day.

 

From the early roots of Blackfeet, Salish, Crow and Bannock tribes who found this land abundant with bison and natural resources - to the four lucky prospectors who, in their last efforts, struck gold in 1864 - Helena is a place rich with history, beauty, and life. Learn more by visiting https\://www.visitmt.com/

 

­Job Overview:

This is highly responsible, advanced skill, technical work as an Official Court Reporter for the Honorable Mike Menahan of the First Judicial District in Helena, Montana.

Duties include attending sittings of court, capturing a verbatim record of court proceedings using computerized recording equipment such as Zoom, FTR, or stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription (CAT) software. 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. 

Job Duties:  (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 computerized recording equipment or a stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription software.
• Set up equipment, conduct sound check, monitor operation of and dismantle recording equipment or stenograph machine in 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 or play 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.
• Utilize computer equipment and software for preparation of transcripts.
• Transcribe, proofread, certify, and distribute official transcripts.
• Archive computerized recordings or 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.
• Provide administrative support as assigned by the judge.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in a courtroom, hearing room, conference room, judge's chambers, office setting, or recorded by Zoom or other electronic audio-visual platform. May include travel assignments.

Court reporters may retain transcript income pursuant to 3-5-604 MCA.

Physical Demands:

Work requires extended periods of listening, concentration, and operation of a keyboard or stenograph machine and may include lifting and transporting stenographic, computer equipment, or other recording equipment to assigned courthouse locations.

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.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.