|
Job Specification JUDICIARY OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY Official Court Reporter Band Specification BAND SUMMARY Official Court Reporters produce an accurate verbatim record of
court proceedings. A �verbatim record� is one that accurately reflects the spoken
word. LEVEL SUMMARY Level 1 - Realtime Apprentice and Non-Realtime (Official Court
Reporter): Employees at this level write spoken words, including
punctuation, utilizing a stenographic reporting system or train to use a
Realtime reporting system to acquire a Realtime certificate. Incorporate
appropriate ancillary services needed to produce and preserve a verbatim
record. Level 2 - Realtime (Official Court
Reporter): Employees at this level possess a valid, Realtime Certification.
Write spoken words, including punctuation, utilizing a Realtime reporting
technology. Incorporate appropriate ancillary services needed to produce and
preserve a verbatim record. NOTE: The above summary and following examples of work are for
illustrative purposes only. Any one position may not necessarily include all of
the tasks listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties, which may be performed. Tasks are cumulative; higher levels
include the tasks associated with the lower. TASKS Level 1 Answer questions posed by judges, the public, clients, customers,
complainants, co-workers, subordinates or supervisors Apply statutes, court rules, case law, policies, or other
regulatory standards to cases Assemble materials Attend court, hearings, seminars, conferences and other
proceedings as directed by the court to provide a verbatim record of the
proceedings Check written reports for completeness and accuracy Compile records or other written materials Compile statistical data on workload volume, backlog, unit
expenditures, personnel actions, financial transactions, fixed assets,
equipment or attendance Complete and file paperwork required upon completion of a
transcript Compose routine correspondence, such as form letters or standard
replies to inquiries Consult with judges, attorneys or law clerks for litigants with
regard to special problems or pending cases Establish and/or maintain record-keeping and/or tracking systems Explain judiciary policies or procedures to clients or customers File, store and upload stenographic notes in PDF format File records or other written materials Greet customers, clients or visitors Inform clients or customers of available agency support programs
or services, including Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) Operate electronic or manual information systems Participate in team development activities Participate in team/work unit meetings Produce verbatim records Provide cross-training to co-workers; for
example, demonstrate to other staff how you perform your work Provide readback of notes when requested Provide quality customer service to court users and/or internal
customers Recommend improvements in judiciary programs Recommend improvements in operating procedures, programs,
standards, work processes, or administrative practices Respond to inquiries for transcripts from attorneys, litigants,
judges, the AOC, the Appellate Division Clerk�s Office and other interested
persons Research case law, spelling, language and terminology in
preparation for proceedings Suggest improvements in work unit operation Transcribe court proceedings from stenographic notes into a
written transcript within the prescribed time period
and format set by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Update stenographic dictionaries with appropriate case information
in preparation for a hearing Verify entered data against source documents Write reports on activities and file the reports with the
Supervisor of Court Reporters on a weekly basis Write spoken words and punctuation utilizing a stenographic
reporting system Level 2 Establish workflow systems or procedures Give advice or assist staff with work in progress Maintain detailed Realtime dictionary Prepare technical, statistical, financial, review or evaluation
reports Produce verbatim records utilizing Realtime reporting technology Write spoken words and punctuation utilizing Realtime reporting
technology for purposes of Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) in
accordance with the American with Disabilities Act COMPETENCIES NOTE: The following competencies are cumulative in nature. For
example, lower level competencies are prerequisite to higher levels. Level 1 Accuracy - Performs job-related tasks producing a verbatim record with an
accuracy rate of 95%. Creative Thinking - Uses imagination to
develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to
problems. Designs new methods and procedures where established methods and
procedures are inapplicable or unavailable. Customer Service - Committed to providing
quality services. Commands a thorough understanding of the customer, who he or
she is, why and what he or she wants and needs. Focuses work on meeting and
exceeding the customer�s needs. Develops and maintains strong relationships
with internal and external customers, vendors or suppliers. Builds customer
confidence in the ability to serve their needs. Information Management - Identifies a need for
and knows where or how to gather information. Organizes and maintains information
or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding,
respect, collegiality, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and
politeness to others. Develops and maintains effective relationships with
others; including effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult,
hostile, or distressed. Relates well with people from varied backgrounds and
different situations. Sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender,
disabilities, and other individual differences. Participates fully in team
activities. Legal - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, legal documents, government
regulations, executive orders, agency rules, New Jersey Rules of Court,
government organization and functions. Manages And Organizes Information -
Identifies needs. Gathers, organizes and maintains information. Determines its
importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods. Mathematical Reasoning - Performs computations,
such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division correctly using
whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages. Solves practical problems
by applying a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques. Knowledge Retention - Recalls information that has been presented previously. Oral Communication - Effectively communicates
information, for example, ideas or facts, to individuals or groups effectively,
taking into account the audience and nature of the information, for example,
technical, sensitive, controversial. Makes clear and convincing oral
presentations. Listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds
appropriately. Organizational Awareness - Knows the organization�s
mission and functions, and how its social, political,
and technological systems work, and operates effectively within them, including
the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization. Personal Development- Identifies and follows
through on assignments, guidance and feedback to continuously learn and improve
the performance and capabilities of one�s self. Reading Comprehension - Understands and
interprets written material; including technical material, rules, regulations,
instructions, reports, charts, graphs or tables. Applies what is learned from written material to specific situations. Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles or relationships that explain
facts, data or other information. Asks pertinent questions to acquire needed
information. Analyzes information and makes logical inferences or draws
accurate conclusions. Self-Management - Sets well-defined and
realistic personal goal. Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and
commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner. Works with
minimal supervision. Motivated to achieve. Demonstrates responsible behavior. Stress Tolerance - Deals calmly and
effectively with high stress situations, for example, tight deadlines, hostile
individuals, emergency situations, dangerous
situations. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group
identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit. Works with others to achieve
goals. Technical Competence - Uses equipment, for
example, stenographic reporting machine, computer, computer applications,
effectively. Uses knowledge acquired through formal training or on-the-job
experience to perform one�s job. Files transcript requests within prescribed
guidelines. Time Management - Establishes and manages priorities
effectively. Total Quality Management - Shows attention to
detail, accuracy and thoroughness. Committed to quality and excellence. Finds
the root cause of problems. Looks for and makes continuous improvements.
Follows through on implementing improvements and commitments made to others. Written Communication - Composes correspondence,
reports and other written material that is clear, concise, well organized and
understood by recipient. Recognizes or uses correct English grammar,
punctuation and spelling. Communicates information, for example, facts, ideas,
or messages, in a succinct and organized manner. Produces written information which may include technical material that is
appropriate for the intended audience. Level 2 Accuracy - Produces unedited transcripts at a 95% Realtime accuracy rate. Decisiveness - Makes sound and well
informed decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
Commits to action. Goal Orientation - Budgets time. Adjusts
priorities in ways that meet optimal conditions. Manages multiple projects,
priorities and deadlines. Professional Development - Keeps up-to-date on best
practices available in the profession and attempts to implement those
appropriate to the organization�s needs. Teaches Others - Helps others learn through formal or informal
methods. Identifies training needs. Provides constructive feedback. Coaches
others on how to perform tasks. Technical Competence - Uses Realtime reporting
technology and equipment to produce transcripts. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS License/Certification All Levels Possession of a valid Certified Court Reporter License issued by
the New Jersey State Board of Court Reporting Appointees will be required to possess a driver�s license valid in
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential
duties of the position. Level 2 Possession of at least one of the following:
Apprentice Period Level 1 Realtime Apprentice: Must obtain a valid Certified Realtime Court
Reporter Certificate issued by the New Jersey Board of Court Reporting, a valid
National Certified Realtime Reporter Certificate issued by the National Court
Reporters Association, or a New Jersey Judiciary Realtime Certificate, within
one year from the start date of employment in order to maintain employment. Special Note The Official Court Reporter shall provide the basic equipment
necessary to perform the job duties of this position. *New Jersey Judiciary Realtime Certificate is only available to
current New Jersey Judiciary Level 1 Realtime Apprentice employees.
Effective Date: 5/7/2022 |