What are the responsibilities and job description for the Official Court Reporter position at District of New Jersey?
Job Details for Official Court Reporter
Position Description
Representative Duties:
- Attends and stenographically records verbatim proceedings held before the U.S. District Judges and Magistrate Judges (as needed) and makes a transcription of those proceedings, upon request. Reads back all or any portions of the court record
- Produces transcripts within strict time limitations and works as part of a team of reporters for the Judges of the Court
- Produces high volumes of daily and expedited transcripts, independently
- Produces accurate, simultaneous realtime transcription utilizing computer-aided translation (CAT)
- Determines billing and formats which comply with the Judicial Conference requirements
- Delivers and/or mails prepared official transcripts
- Provides transcripts and/or realtime feeds to the Court upon request, without charge
- Certifies and files the original transcripts with the Clerk of Court
- Maintains accurate and legible records which are subject to audits
- Prepares and files Administrative Office reports
- Responds timely to official correspondence, emails, phone calls, and instant messages. Complies with all administrative duties assigned by his or her manager and the Court
- Maintains self-owned, audio-capable steno writer and CAT system and equipment capable of realtime output and audio recording; and maintains service contracts and support for equipment and software
- Takes the record of Court proceedings remotely from home, as required, utilizing video and phone conferencing, using reliable internet service
- Travel to all locations, as needed
Qualifications
- Candidate must possess at least four years of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field or in other courts, or a combination thereof, and must be certified as having passed the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) examination administered by the National Court Reporters Association or an equivalent certification
- Skilled in the use of computer-aided transcription (CAT)
- Preference may be given to applicants with a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) and/or a Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification from the NCRA or an equivalent
Note:
- Applicants must own, maintain and keep current, audio-capable steno writer, CAT equipment and software; and maintain service contracts and support for same
- Experience with video and phone conferencing is critical and the ability to produce a remote realtime feed, including any software/hardware needed to facilitate same
Specialized Experience
Court Preferred Skills
The successful candidate should demonstrate excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work well under pressure. This position also requires strong motivation, initiative, attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously. The Official Court Reporter will be communicating routinely with Judges, attorneys and management; therefore, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to communicate professionally and with tact both orally and in writing. Knowledge of courtroom procedures, methods of reporting courtroom proceedings and legal terminology is desired. The incumbent must be able to handle confidential matters appropriately. Proficiency and experience in the use of computer systems, including but not limited to Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Outlook and Teams, is highly preferred.
Employee Benefits
To learn more about the Judiciary’s benefits:
Miscellaneous
Representative Duties:
- Attends and stenographically records verbatim proceedings held before the U.S. District Judges and Magistrate Judges (as needed) and makes a transcription of those proceedings, upon request. Reads back all or any portions of the court record
- Produces transcripts within strict time limitations and works as part of a team of reporters for the Judges of the Court
- Produces high volumes of daily and expedited transcripts, independently
- Produces accurate, simultaneous realtime transcription utilizing computer-aided translation (CAT)
- Determines billing and formats which comply with the Judicial Conference requirements
- Delivers and/or mails prepared official transcripts
- Provides transcripts and/or realtime feeds to the Court upon request, without charge
- Certifies and files the original transcripts with the Clerk of Court
- Maintains accurate and legible records which are subject to audits
- Prepares and files Administrative Office reports
- Responds timely to official correspondence, emails, phone calls, and instant messages. Complies with all administrative duties assigned by his or her manager and the Court
- Maintains self-owned, audio-capable steno writer and CAT system and equipment capable of realtime output and audio recording; and maintains service contracts and support for equipment and software
- Takes the record of Court proceedings remotely from home, as required, utilizing video and phone conferencing, using reliable internet service
- Travel to all locations, as needed
Application Info
Interested applicants may submit electronically to the Court’s website, the following documents into one PDF :
- A cover letter explaining your qualifications for this position
- An updated resume
- Salary history (external applicants only)
- A completed AO 78 (Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment), available on the court’s website New Appointment Forms | District of New Jersey | United States District Court
Please submit the above required documents to the attention of Ms. Robin A. Newman, Esq., Human Resources Manager via the Court’s Recruitment Database at the following link on or before April 10, 2026, by 5 p.m.
We are unable to consider applications without the required documents sent as instructed above.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Salary : $105,182 - $120,959