Judge Designee Heidi Hovis is looking for qualified candidates to fill an Official Court Reporter position. The primary work location is Todd County, Long Prairie, MN however, the ability to travel is a requirement for this position as the court reporter will occasionally work in other counties within the Seventh Judicial District. 

This position is responsible for the verbatim recording and transcription of testimony from judicial proceedings, hearings, and conferences, in compliance with all applicable statutes and court rules or as directed by the appointing authority. Additionally, the court reporter serves as the judicial officer's confidential assistant. 

Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Hovis held a variety of legal roles including as an assistant public defender and legal aid attorney. She intends to work closely with her law clerk and prioritize a collaborative dynamic within her judicial team, ensuring every member has an active and meaningful role. She is equally committed to fostering professional growth and development among her staff.  

Example of Duties:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Capture a verbatim record of court proceedings.
• Reads or plays back testimony upon request.
• Prepare and distribute transcripts and court orders in accordance with Rules of Court, opinions, State Statutes, legal guidelines and policies.
• Maintain accurate and complete files and records.
• Maintain awareness of Rules, Statutes, and policy changes/additions/deletions.
• Serve as the Judge's confidential assistant.
• Perform other court related and confidential duties as directed by the Judge.
• Some travel is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 

Stenographic Court Reporter: A person seeking employment with the Branch for the position of official stenographic court reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications: 

Graduation from high school or equivalent; and
Graduation from a court reporting school approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) within the past two years; or
Compliance with one of the following:
Received a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation from the NCRA; or
Received an equivalent certification from another state or territory of the United States, or professional court reporter association; or
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 as described in (d) below; or
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.
Stenographic court reporters who do not meet requirements as noted above must become certified by the Minnesota Judicial Branch or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) as an Electronic Court Reporter within three months of hire and take the record electronically until they are in compliance with a, b, c, or d above.

Electronic Court Reporter: A person seeking employment with the Branch for the position of official electronic court reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications: 

Any combination of training and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, abilities, and skills listed in the classification specification; and
Compliance with one of the following within three months of hire:
Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certificate from the State Court Administrator, or
Receive an Electronic Court Reporter Certification and an Electronic Transcriber Certification from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT); or
Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certification from an accredited court reporter school.
Court Reporters are at-will employees, and the work is performed under the supervision of a District Court Judge.

 

Supplemental Information:

• Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply link near the bottom of this page.
• In addition to completing the online application, please upload and attach a cover letter and resume. 
• Current judicial branch employees must have satisfactory performance in all competencies in their most recent performance evaluation and no discipline above an oral reprimand in the preceding 6 months.
• Successful candidates will be required to pass a criminal background check. 
• If you have questions about this position, please contact us at: [email protected]
• This position will remain opened until filled.