Official Court Reporter - Ramsey County - Judge Sophia Vuelo - Minnesota Judicial Branch

The Second Judicial District is accepting applications for a full-time Official Stenographic or Electronic Court Reporter for Judge Sophia Vuelo. In this position you will work directly with Judge Sophia Vuelo who is assigned to a criminal rotation and chambered at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102. 

This is highly responsible technical work. The primary functions are to capture a verbatim record of court proceedings using a stenographic machine or electronic court reporting equipment and to prepare and distribute transcripts in accordance with rules of court, opinions, state statutes, legal guidelines, and policies. Additionally, the court reporter serves as the appointing authority's confidential assistant and a member of the chamber's judicial team. The court reporter exercises independent judgment as related to the duties of maintaining the record. Work is reviewed and evaluated by the appointing authority.

This position supports Judge Sophia Vuelo and promotes the court's mission of providing justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies.

Regular hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30. This position will require the ability to work full-time during these hours. 

This position is comprised ofin-court appearances with occasional remote work, depending on the assignment.

Responsibilities
The following are examples of major job duties expected of this position.

• Capture and preserve a verbatim record of court proceedings.
• Play/read back testimony upon request.
• Prepare transcripts and court orders.
• Maintain accurate and complete files, records, and exhibits.
• Maintain awareness of relevant rules, statutes, and policy changes/additions/deletions.
• Serve as confidential assistant to judicial officer.
• Occasional filing on behalf of the court.
• Other administrative tasks to assist chambers depending on the needs.

Minimum Qualifications
A person seeking employment for the position of Official Stenographic Court Reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Graduation from high school or equivalent; and
2. Graduation from a court reporting school approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) within the past two years; or
3. Compliance with one of the following:
a) Received a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation from the NCRA; or
b) Received an equivalent certification from another state or territory of the United States, or professional court reporter association; or

c) Have been practicing proficiently as a professional stenographic reporter for the past two (2) years and within one (1) month of hire, accurately take a minimum of 20 minutes of court proceedings alongside a stenographic court reporter who has an RPR designation or certification as provided in clauses (a) or (b), and then produce a transcript with 95% accuracy to successfully complete this requirement. as described in (d) below; or
d) Obtain RPR designation from the NCRA within two years of hire. Pending receipt of the RPR designation, must, within one (1) month of hire, accurately take a minimum of 20 minutes of court proceedings alongside a stenographic court reporter who has an RPR designation or certification as provided in clauses (a) or (b), and then produce a transcript. The participating RPR certified stenographer will determine that Ninety-five (95) percent accuracy is achieved to successfully complete this requirement.

A person seeking employment for a position of Official Electronic Court Reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Graduation from high school or equivalent; and
2. Any combination of training and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the classification specification; and
3. Compliance with one of the following within three months of prior to hire:
a) Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certificate from the State Court Administrator, or
b) Receive an Electronic Court Reporter Certification and an Electronic Transcriber Certification from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT); or
c) Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certification from an accredited court reporter school.

Applicants for this position must be able to travel between court locations including the main courthouse, Law Enforcement Center, Juvenile and Family Justice Center, and 402 Commitment Court in downtown St. Paul, MN, and the suburban courthouse in Maplewood, MN.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to enter clear, detailed log notes regarding significant occurrences or produce stenographic shorthand notes and produce verbatim transcripts for high-volume, complex court proceedings with the potential for expedited deadlines or deadlines mandated by the Court of Appeals. All transcript work must be done outside work hours using equipment not provided by the employer.
• Excellent grasp of grammar and punctuation and the ability to apply it to maintaining the record and transcript production.
• Meticulous attention to detail and willingness to research transcript-related matters, including, but not limited to, procuring name spellings and ensuring correct subject terminology is used.
• Ability to focus and concentrate for long periods of time.
• Proficient in multiple computer hardware and software applications; interest in and ability to learn new technology and computer programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret, retain and apply policies, procedures and statutes, specifically relating to establishing the official court record.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize duties in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Flexible and willing to work with other judges.
• Professional and courteous while in chambers and towards the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting, courtroom or at a public counter. Work involves contact with persons who may be angry, abusive or threatening.

Physical Demands
Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending and carrying items up to 25 pounds. Some assignments may require periods of extended sitting, standing or computer use.

To Apply

External Candidates: Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply Now button on this page. Please include a resume and cover letter. 
Internal Candidates: Please apply through your Oracle account clicking on your desktop icon, then “Me” and “Current Jobs”. Please include a resume and cover letter.

Successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check.  

Questions
Please contact Human Resources at 2nddistrictHR@courts.state.mn.us with questions regarding this position.