Court Recorder

Under the direction of a Circuit or Probate Court Judge, utilizes and maintains computerized electronic recording equipment to record court proceedings; prepares logs of court proceedings while recording all court activity; results cases on the case management system; prepares official transcripts of proceedings; performs courtroom and office functions for the Court, including daily preparation/maintenance of the courtroom, calling cases and directing people into the courtroom, serving court orders to all parties present, answering telephone inquiries and screening visitors, maintain judicial files, and performing backup duties for the Judicial Assistant as needed.1. Prepares and maintains courtrooms and other hearing rooms for proceedings, including locking/unlocking the spaces, posting the schedule and other notices for the public, ensuring readiness of case files, checking the operation of computerized electronic recording equipment, monitoring placement of microphones, facilitating the operation of headsets, ensuring sufficient supplies, and marshalling refreshments. Ensures the needs of witnesses, attorneys, jurors, and other attendees are met, including assisting with ADA accommodation requests, facilitating training in the use of courtroom technology, and issuing out reminder slips and other notices for upcoming events.

2. Utilizing independent judgment, operates and maintains computerized electronic recording equipment to create accurate, verbatim records of proceedings before the Ingham County Probate Court and 30th Circuit Court. Provides real time playback in the courtroom, jury room, and elsewhere to ensure that the jury, judge, attorneys, litigants, and other authorized parties can hear witness' voice and inflection in order to aid in their decision making.

3. While recording proceedings, prepares detailed log notes and schedules of court activity, including identifying the speaker, marking exhibits, recording when witnesses are called, and recording other actions as they occur in order to assist the Court adjudicate the case and in transcript preparation.

4. Marks and maintains a record of exhibits and provides other assistance to the Judge in the courtroom. Hosts, moderates, and facilitates proceedings on virtual mediums, including systems such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or others. Sets up and monitors breakout rooms to ensure confidentiality of communications such as attorney/client privileged communications. Responsible for the preservation and conversion of audio/visual data created on virtual mediums.

5. Prepares official verbatim transcripts of proceedings before the Ingham County Probate Court and 30th Circuit Court, including when cases are on appeal, as ordered, or requested by appropriate parties. Prepares and distributes the necessary forms for cases to the Michigan Court of Appeals and/or Michigan Supreme Court. Proofreads transcripts, certifies transcripts as accurate, and timely prepares and submits billings as appropriate.

6. Maintains log of transcripts prepared, stores and maintains CDs and other record media from daily proceedings and courtroom schedules as required by court rules.

7. Conforms conduct to the State Court Administrative Office Manual for Court Reporters/Court Recorders to ensure adherence to applicable guidelines and laws.

8. Timely prepares appeal paperwork which includes transcript preparation, mailing of notices, filing transcripts and other documents, performing service on appropriate parties and attorneys, among other tasks.

9. Prepares correspondence and other documents for the Court, including taking dictation, transcription, proofing, transmitting over varying mediums, among other related tasks.

10. Prepares copies of orders and other notices, and serves them personally, by mail, by email, or other mediums of transmission. Prepares, disseminates, and collects signed waivers, and routes them for further processing.  

11. In the absence of the Judicial Assistant or as needed, serves in that capacity. Duties include reviewing Judge's mail, determining whether matters need the Judge's attention and taking necessary action, among other tasks.

12. In coordination with the Judicial Assistant, maintains the Judge's calendar and adds, cancels, results, or reschedule events as necessary.

13. Performs a variety of support tasks such as maintaining supplies, searching for files, copying documents, researching legal issues, and related tasks. Assists in maintaining files for the Judge such as those related to correspondence,  administrative matters, and lateral files.

14. Fields calls from/to attorneys, parties, and others regarding transcripts, scheduling matters, court procedures, and specific case information.  Determines which matters need the Judge's attention, and responds accordingly utilizing substantial independent judgment.  

15. Coordinates courtroom and other technology maintenance, repair, projects, including contacting appropriate personnel for the resolution of issues, such as the IT or Facilities Department.

16. Operates electronic document management system, case management system, and other technology as required. Results events on case management system.

Other Functions:

 

Other duties as assigned, including performing public relations functions and training others to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. Education: An Associate's Degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, criminal justice or a related field or advanced training such as that acquired in the first two or three years of college/university, technical school, or business school. 

 

Experience: More than three years of progressively more responsible or expansive experience in a court reporting/recording, court, law firm, or related setting. Experience must include working knowledge of both the Probate Court and Family Court subject areas (e.g., decedents' estates, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, protective orders, mental health treatment proceedings, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, name changes, adoptions, divorce, child/spousal support, child custody/parenting time, et cetera).

 

Other Requirements: Must acquire certification as an Electronic Court Recorder by the Michigan Supreme Court no later than six months after hire, and maintain said certification while employed.

 

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria. Working Conditions:

* Work performed in office conditions and courtroom settings.

 

* Regular contact with persons in crisis and/or charged with and/or convicted of criminal offenses.

 

* Regular exposure to persons with various communicable diseases.

 

Physical Requirements [This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements]: 

 

* Ability to operate electronic recording equipment, copy machine, fax machine, and other office equipment.

 

* Ability to withstand prolonged periods of sitting to monitor and record court proceedings, and while transcribing.

 

* This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.

 

* This position's physical requirements require continuous stamina in sitting, standing, walking, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.

 

* This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.

 

* This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries submitting in writing, in person, over the phone or virtually.

 

* This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter and retrieve information from a computer.

 

* This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

 

* This position is exposed to detailed, graphic, and traumatic testimony, images, and documents that demonstrate traumatic or horrific events.

 

                             

                                                                                                                                                                                            UAW J

                                                                                                                                                                                            2023