Court Recorder

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community.  We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government.  We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full- time and part-time employees.  Understanding the many challenges facing today’s professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Job Description:

Primary functions of the job are to provide clerical support within the courtroom and directly to Judges, including transcribing court proceedings, and organizing jury selection. Employees work as part of a team and are responsible for ensuring that the team meets its objectives.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements, conditions of employment, and be able to perform successfully all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

• Records court proceedings, hearings, and trials verbatim, utilizing applicable computer-aided equipment.
• Directs speakers to microphone, clarifies inaudible statements and notes identification of speakers, noting point of important actions in order to ensure accurate recordings and transcripts.
• Transcribes, edits, and certifies transcripts, ensuring compliance with established deadlines, and distributes as directed.
• Maintains recording equipment.
• Provides basic customer service, including delivery of accurate, prompt, and courteous assistance on policies, guidelines, and standard practices to internal and external customers, both verbally and in writing.
• Processes, compiles, researches, and analyzes case files in preparation of court proceedings, and prepares and verifies notices, correspondence, and other documents utilizing applicable software, within established procedures.
• Sorts, files, and maintains materials and filing systems (paper, computer or imaging), retrieves file materials, and keeps a record of file movement.
• Schedules and maintains court room and Judges calendars.
• Uses a wide variety of office machines such as printers, personal computers, facsimile machine, postage machine, adding machine, scanners, and copiers.
• Monitors all pending cases to comply with case disposition timelines.
• Produces accurate and legible dispositions in the court room to reflect an accurate court record.
• Performs secretarial duties for the assigned Judge and acts as receptionist.
• Assists or substitutes for other 86th District Court judicial staff as needed.

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)

• High school graduation or G.E.D.
• Two to four years of experience utilizing computers and general office work
• College level course work in a related field may substitute for up to one year of experience

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES (minimum requirements)

• Certification by the State of Michigan as a Court Recorder (may obtain within twelve months of employment)
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, personal vehicle insurance, and eligibility to drive under the County’s Vehicle Policy.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (minimum qualifications - legal or contractual pre-employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

A background check may be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of a persons’ identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.

• May be required to serve in an “on-call” capacity.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Work involves performing basic tasks every day and follows well-established procedures in which daily instructions are given and tasks are performed according to specified guidelines. Errors at this level could lead to minor inconvenience and consequences that may not be obvious outside the work unit and have little effect on service to the public and may result in limited financial impact or cost and can generally be detected easily by the employee and corrected.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• May be required to work irregular hours, including being on call during an emergency.
• May be required to travel for work using the employee’s personal vehicle.
• May be required to reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• May be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, such as a box of paper.
• May be exposed to criminal suspects or prison inmates.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, COMPETENCIES (minimum requirements)

• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, including idioms, slang, and regionalisms
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and terminology, and court proceedings
• Skill in operating applicable court reporting equipment
• Skill in operation of modern office equipment such as personal computer, facsimile, copiers, scanners, and telephones
• Basic skill in use of personal computer software, including word processing
• Interpersonal skills necessary to work courteously and effectively with other employees and the public
• Ability to accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Ability to detect basic errors and make corrections as directed and under established procedures
• Ability to comprehend, process and apply both verbal and written skills appropriate to the job
• Ability to use County resources effectively and efficiently

Compensation:

Grand Traverse County is a great place to live, work and play. Come join our team and experience what northern Michigan is all about, apply today!

You really should see what we have to offer: 

• Medical: The County offers employees a high-deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account every year.  You may also direct deposit funds into this account every pay period.

• Vision: The County provides a no cost plan for employees. We also offer an enhanced plan through EyeMed.  

• Dental: Our dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. You will pay no costs or premium for diagnostic and cleaning services. 

• Wellness: Grand Traverse County is committed to creating a culture of health. We provide a variety of incentives and programs that allow you to live a healthy lifestyle. 

• Employee Recognition: We highly value our employees, which we show by providing our employees awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school. 

• Vacation: Grand Traverse County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefitted employees so you can spend time with family and friends. 

• Holidays: The County gives you 12 days a year to celebrate holidays. Beyond these 12 days, you will receive additional floating holidays to use at your discretion. 

• Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 72 hours annually depending on contract, to use for appointments, take care of family needs and other personal reasons. Employees are paid every year for unused personal leave up to 40 hours. 

• Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months of leave to begin at birth or date of adoption of their child. 

• Retirement: Grand Traverse County offers a defined contribution through MERS. The plan includes a generous match that fully vests after 6 years of employment.

• 457(b) Retirement Plans: The County also offers optional 457(b) deferred compensation and Roth retirement plans with matching contributions up to an approved amount, based on applicable contract provisions.

• Life Insurance: Benefitted employees automatically receive life insurance. 

• Short Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays two thirds of your salary or wages for a maximum of 182 days.

• Long Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays 60 percent of your salary or wages for a maximum of 24 months.