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SUMMARY: Records (by hand or shorthand machine) proceedings in the courts and prepares an accurate transcript of the proceedings for appeals or future court use.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Records examination, testimony, judicial opinions, judge's charge to jury, voir dire of jury duty, judgment or sentence of court, or other proceedings in court of law by machine shorthand, takes shorthand notes, or reports proceedings into steno-mask.

Attends sessions of the district court of county court-at-law.

Takes full shorthand notes (by hand or by machine) of closing arguments if requested to do so by the attorney of a party to the case, including objections to the arguments, court rulings and remarks on the objections, and exceptions to the rulings.

Takes full shorthand notes (by hand or by machine) of oral testimony offered before the court including objections made to the admissibility of evidence, court rulings and remarks on the objections, and exceptions to the rulings.

Preserves all shorthand or machine notes taken in court for three years for civil case and 15 years for criminal cases from the date taken and prepares accurate transcripts of court proceedings for appeals or future court use as instructed.

Marks and files with the court exhibits introduced into evidence during trials or hearings, and indexes and files notes taken in court.

Locates and reads testimony adduced in court for court or jury assistance.

May conduct the deposition of witnesses, receive, execute, and return commissions, and make a certificate of the proceedings in any county that is included in the judicial district of the court.

May prepare jury charges in civil cases.

May substitute for Court Manager, Court Clerk, Bailiff, or other Court Reporters.

May perform secretarial services which assist in the administrative functions of the court.

Reads portions of transcript during trial on judge's request.

Asks witnesses and speakers to clarify inaudible statements.

Operates typewriter or computer to transcribe recorded material or dictates material into recording machine.

Records proceedings of quasi-judicial hearings and formal and informal meetings.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
 

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); plus graduation from court reporting school and experience sufficient to permit certification as a Certified Shorthand Reporter by the Supreme Court of Texas. Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and satisfies state statutes.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Knowledge of and ability to apply correct English and spelling, vocabulary, including legal and medical terminology, and general knowledge of Texas law as well as of proper court procedure. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Certification as a Certified Shorthand Reporter by the Supreme Court of Texas (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Sec 52.023). Must complete 20 continuing education credits relevant to the practice of shorthand reporting to renew certification.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to type accurately at a minimum speed of 55 words per minute; ability to apply correct punctuation; and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the District and County Clerks’ offices and all parties involved in a case.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle,or feel. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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