Official Court Reporter
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is seeking a skilled and motivated Official Court Reporter to join our team. This position may be based in San Francisco, San Jose, or Oakland. Our reporters support a fast-paced and collaborative environment, covering both in-person and remote (Zoom) proceedings across the district. As one of the busiest and most high-profile federal courts in the country, we handle a wide range of complex and groundbreaking cases. From intellectual property, biotech litigation, Silicon Valley technology, high-stakes criminal cases and civil rights matters, our court reporters are essential to the federal judiciary.
We offer a competitive salary along with full federal benefits, and new reporters are immediately included in the courts trial rotation. The position offers exceptional earning potential as well. In 2024, in-person court reporters earned between $98,000 and $194,000 in transcript fees alone. If you’re looking to elevate your career while contributing to the work that matters, we invite you to apply today!
Apply by June 2, 2025, for priority consideration. Position open until filled.
Court reporters are key members of the judicial team, working closely with judges, attorneys, and fellow reporters to ensure accurate and timely transcripts of court proceedings. This dynamic role offers a blend of in-person collaboration and substantial telework flexibility. Some travel across our San Francisco, San Jose or Oakland courthouses are expected.
Being an official court reporter involves:
• Working as part of a team of reporters for the judges of the court.
• Verbatim shorthand reporting of courtroom proceedings and reading back portions of the record when required.
• Producing transcripts at a high volume, including expedited and daily transcripts.
• For certain criminal proceedings, creating audio recordings alongside shorthand notes.
• Adhering to the policies and administrative procedures outlined in the Court Reporter Management Plan, the Court Reporter Manual, and the Guide to Judiciary Policy.
• Performing administrative tasks including transcripts billing, and docketing financial tracking, responding to request, and submitting required reports to the Administrative Office.
• Level 1 ($118,149) must have at least one year of court reporting experience (freelance, courts or a combination); RPR (or equivalent); and excellent Realtime skills. (Those hired without Realtime certification must pass the test within two years.)
• Level 2 ($124,057) additionally requires Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification and ability to provide Realtime writing in the courtroom (must become Realtime certified within two years of hire date).
• Level 3 ($129,965) additionally requires Realtime certification.
• Level 4 ($135,871) additionally requires Realtime and RMR certification.
• Level 5 ($141,778) for transferring Federal Official Court Reporters appointed before October 11, 2009, with CRR or FCRR, RMR and ten years’ reporting experience in the federal courts.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Three or more years of court reporting experience (freelance, courts or a combination) and experience directly invoicing clients
• Experience e-filing transcripts on a court docket
• Previous federal court experience
• Realtime Certification
• Certificate of Merit from NCRA
Physical Requirements: Successful candidate must be able to (with or without accommodation): (1) bend, (2) pull, push, and lift up to 20 pounds, (3) reach, (4) walk, and (5) sit for extended periods.
OTHER INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
The successful candidate for this position is subject to a FBI fingerprint check and background investigation (employment will be provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required background investigation), must adhere to a code of conduct, and must arrange for direct deposit of federal wages. Travel expenses for interviews or relocations are not available.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement without prior written or other notice.
Interviewing Non-Citizens and Making Offers of Future Employment:
Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals qualifying under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship. Contact Human Resources at 415-522-2147 for more information.
Equal Focused Employer:
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The Court encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.
The court provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Notify Human Resources at 415-522-2147 to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process. Human Resources will determine requests on a case-by-case basis.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, complete the online application atwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/uscourtscand. Please be sure to fully complete your application by providing all work history from the past ten years and three professional references on your application. Also, please be sure to upload a resume and cover letter in PDF format and attach it to your application.
Apply Now
Apply Now
We offer a competitive salary along with full federal benefits, and new reporters are immediately included in the courts trial rotation. The position offers exceptional earning potential as well. In 2024, in-person court reporters earned between $98,000 and $194,000 in transcript fees alone. If you’re looking to elevate your career while contributing to the work that matters, we invite you to apply today!
Apply by June 2, 2025, for priority consideration. Position open until filled.
Court reporters are key members of the judicial team, working closely with judges, attorneys, and fellow reporters to ensure accurate and timely transcripts of court proceedings. This dynamic role offers a blend of in-person collaboration and substantial telework flexibility. Some travel across our San Francisco, San Jose or Oakland courthouses are expected.
Being an official court reporter involves:
• Working as part of a team of reporters for the judges of the court.
• Verbatim shorthand reporting of courtroom proceedings and reading back portions of the record when required.
• Producing transcripts at a high volume, including expedited and daily transcripts.
• For certain criminal proceedings, creating audio recordings alongside shorthand notes.
• Adhering to the policies and administrative procedures outlined in the Court Reporter Management Plan, the Court Reporter Manual, and the Guide to Judiciary Policy.
• Performing administrative tasks including transcripts billing, and docketing financial tracking, responding to request, and submitting required reports to the Administrative Office.
• Level 1 ($118,149) must have at least one year of court reporting experience (freelance, courts or a combination); RPR (or equivalent); and excellent Realtime skills. (Those hired without Realtime certification must pass the test within two years.)
• Level 2 ($124,057) additionally requires Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification and ability to provide Realtime writing in the courtroom (must become Realtime certified within two years of hire date).
• Level 3 ($129,965) additionally requires Realtime certification.
• Level 4 ($135,871) additionally requires Realtime and RMR certification.
• Level 5 ($141,778) for transferring Federal Official Court Reporters appointed before October 11, 2009, with CRR or FCRR, RMR and ten years’ reporting experience in the federal courts.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Three or more years of court reporting experience (freelance, courts or a combination) and experience directly invoicing clients
• Experience e-filing transcripts on a court docket
• Previous federal court experience
• Realtime Certification
• Certificate of Merit from NCRA
Physical Requirements: Successful candidate must be able to (with or without accommodation): (1) bend, (2) pull, push, and lift up to 20 pounds, (3) reach, (4) walk, and (5) sit for extended periods.
OTHER INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
The successful candidate for this position is subject to a FBI fingerprint check and background investigation (employment will be provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required background investigation), must adhere to a code of conduct, and must arrange for direct deposit of federal wages. Travel expenses for interviews or relocations are not available.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement without prior written or other notice.
Interviewing Non-Citizens and Making Offers of Future Employment:
Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals qualifying under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship. Contact Human Resources at 415-522-2147 for more information.
Equal Focused Employer:
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The Court encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.
The court provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Notify Human Resources at 415-522-2147 to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process. Human Resources will determine requests on a case-by-case basis.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, complete the online application atwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/uscourtscand. Please be sure to fully complete your application by providing all work history from the past ten years and three professional references on your application. Also, please be sure to upload a resume and cover letter in PDF format and attach it to your application.
Apply Now
Apply Now