- SIGNING INCENTIVE- $20,000 total for a full-time Court Voice Writer; $10,000 the first pay period after one full month of employment, $5,000 the first pay period after one-year anniversary, and $5,000 after two-year anniversary*
- FULL-TIME COURT VOICE WRITERS START AT; pay step consistent with their experience.
- STUDENT LOAN AND EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE; $10,000 for each full-time newly certified and hired Court Voice Writer; $5,000 initial payment, payable the first pay period after hire, $5,000 the first pay period after one-year anniversary. *
- FINDERS FEE FOR COURT EMPLOYEES WHO REFER OFFICIAL COURT VOICE WRITERS TO THE COURT; $5,000 total; $2,500 after new hire's orientation; $2,500 at new hire's one-year anniversary.*
- For hires prior to July 1, 2026.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
Pay Differential for Realtime Services:
4% for Court Certified, 7 % for Nationally Certified.
Court Reporter State License Fee:
Reimbursed at actual cost up to $200. per calendar year, subject to eligibility.
Reimbursement for Annual Association Membership Fee:
Reimbursed at actual cost up to $500. for the annual National Court Reporters' Association (NCRA) and/or California Court Reporter's Association (CCRA) membership fee.
Reimbursement for Equipment and Software Expenses:
Reimbursed at actual cost up to $600 per calendar year for the purchase of equipment, equipment maintenance, or software required for Court-assigned court reporting or captioning.
Reimbursement for Convention Registration Fee:
Reimbursed at actual cost up to $500 per calendar year for member cost of registration for the California Court Reporters Association (CCRA) annual convention.
Educational Assistance Policy:
Up to $1000. per year.
This recruitment will remain open until the position has been filled.
DESCRIPTION
Under direction, the official Court Voice Writer is responsible for the verbatim official record; provides readback upon request; prepares certified transcripts of the proceedings; and performs other related duties.
Employment Standards/Typical Qualifications:
Possession of a Certified Court Voice Writer license, through the use of voice writing, issued by the Court Reporters Board of California, in accordance with the relevant sections of the Business and Professions Code as added or amended by AB 156. Incumbents provide and maintain the necessary equipment for the transcription of court proceedings. A valid California Driver's license may be required. Employees in this classification may be required to use their own vehicle to travel between facilities.
Court Reporter Realtime skills and/or certification are desirable. A pay differential is available for Realtime services.
Knowledge and Abilities
Any combination of education, training and/or experience which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Knowledge of:
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California Law, Rules of Court, court forms and procedures that relate to court reporting services.
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Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation.
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Courtroom practices and procedures.
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Legal terminology, basic medical and other specialized and technical terminology required for court proceedings and protocol.
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Computer equipment and data processing programs.
Ability to:-
Hear and distinguish words spoken in varying tones and volumes.
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Use Speech Computer-Aided Transcription (SCAT).
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Record verbatim testimony at a rate certified to perform the work.
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Provide read back of all or portions of the record instantaneously upon request as may be required in examination of witnesses or request of the jury.
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Promptly prepare transcripts of proceedings when appropriate and certify the final transcript.
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Safely maintain the files and notes of the court record for which court reporters are responsible.
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Work independently with minimum supervision.
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Handle more than one task simultaneously, while maintaining a sense of direction.
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Maintain attention to detail; organize and prioritize work and meet critical time deadlines.
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Maintain confidential information where legal standards so require.
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Type accurately and operate a personal computer and other types of office equipment.
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Use, adjust, move and perform minor maintenance of voice writing equipment and similar devices related to work.
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Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
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Provide excellent customer service; establish and maintain effective work relationships with judges, judicial officers, professional and clerical staff, attorneys, and the general public.
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Be available and have reliable ways to be contacted when needed on assignment in other locations.
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Keep equipment readily available and be prepared to go to another assignment in a different department or location as needed in little advance notice.
EXAMPLES OF EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
The knowledge and skills listed above may be acquired through various types of experience, education, or training, typically:
Education: Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth grade (high school) or GED.
AND
License: Possession of a Certified Court Voice Writer license, through the use of voice writing, issued by the Court Reporters Board of California, in accordance with the relevant sections of the Business and Professions Code as added or amended by AB 156.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
During the hours court is open for transaction of judicial business, incumbents shall not engage in, or solicit to engage in any other employment in their professional capacity. Other transcriptions not mandatory by statute must be done on own time outside of work hours. The incumbent primary duties are to attend court and transcribe transcripts that are mandatory by statute and/or ordered by the court.
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Incumbents provide, move/handle and maintain their own equipment and cover the costs of transcribing the record in return for a fee set by statute.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to:
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To possess and maintain an active, valid certified Court Voice Writer License issued by the State of California.
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Successfully pass a background investigation.
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Possess a valid current California class C license, (or) the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation approved by the hiring authority.
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Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.
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Work history: False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
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Incumbent provides and maintains, at own expense, all necessary equipment and materials to produce verbatim record, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 10.810(b) (8) 810.
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Incumbent is prohibited from holding any outside employment which conflicts with providing services to the court.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
The physical and sensory abilities required for this classification include:
Ability to:
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Sit at a desk and/or in front of a voice writing machine or computer video display terminal for extended periods of time.
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Hear well enough to understand faint conversation.
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Incumbent may be exposed to volatile courtroom situations, unpleasant odors, and/or distasteful evidence.
