Job Details for Official Court Reporter (Remote)
| Court Name/Organization | California Northern District Court |
| Overview of the Position | Priority Consideration Date: June 23, 2025. Whether you're starting or continuing a career in public service, the U.S. District Court offers a compelling opportunity: strong compensation and benefits, a schedule that supports work-life balance, and the chance to collaborate with dedicated professionals committed to the vital mission of delivering justice efficiently and effectively. We are one of the busiest and most high-profile federal courts in the country. As an official court reporter working remotely, you’ll cover a wide range of matters, including some of the most significant and high-profile cases in the country—ranging from Silicon Valley tech disputes and biotech innovations to complex criminal trials and landmark civil rights litigation. Remote court reporters receive a federal salary, full benefits, and significant transcript income—averaging $36,000 in 2024—all while contributing to work that makes a difference. |
| Location | Remote, Anywhere in the U.S. |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 06/09/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CR Level 1-5 |
| Salary | Not specified |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities/ |
| Announcement Number | FY25-26 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Occasional travel to the San Francisco Bay Area is required. For ease of travel, we prefer candidates located near major airports with frequent, direct flights to the Bay Area.
Responsibilities include:
- Working as part of a team of reporters for the judges of the court
- Primarily remotely, reporting verbatim court proceedings and creating audio recordings of certain criminal proceedings, and reading back the record
- Troubleshooting and collaborating on technology issues related to remote reporting, including Zoom audio/video and Realtime functionality
- Producing transcripts at a high volume, including expedited and daily transcripts
- Uploading shorthand notes, audio recordings, transcripts, reports and other documents
- Transcribing digital audio records
- Adhering to all requirements of the Court Reporter Management Plan and the Guide to Judiciary Policy
- Performing administrative duties as assigned
Qualifications
Court Reporter salary levels are based on locality pay rates where the reporter resides, hire date, and years of service and certifications.
- Level 1 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 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 additionally requires Realtime certification.
- Level 4 additionally requires Realtime and RMR certification.
- Level 5 for transferring Federal Official Court Reporters appointed before 10/11/09, with CRR or FCRR, RMR and ten years’ reporting experience in the federal courts.
Specialized Experience
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
Employee Benefits
The U.S. District Court is part of the federal Judicial branch of government and is independent of the Executive and Legislative branches. The court sets its own employment policies including remote work and performance management, while also valuing employees' individualism and continuing to strive towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
Judicial Branch employees are "at will” employees and are not subject to the employment regulations of competitive service. However, full-time judiciary employees are entitled to:
- A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year
- Paid annual leave in the amount of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days per year after 3 years, and 26 days per year after 15 years
- Paid sick leave in the amount of 13 days per year
- Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS)
- Optional participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (with up to 5% employer matching contributions), the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), the Flexible Benefits Program, Long-Term Care Insurance, and Professional Liability Insurance
- Commuter Benefit Program (Public Transportation subsidy up to $130 per month)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Work Life Services
For more information about federal court benefits, please visit: www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
Miscellaneous
Occasional travel to the San Francisco Bay Area is required. For ease of travel, we prefer candidates located near major airports with frequent, direct flights to the Bay Area.
Responsibilities include:
- Working as part of a team of reporters for the judges of the court
- Primarily remotely, reporting verbatim court proceedings and creating audio recordings of certain criminal proceedings, and reading back the record
- Troubleshooting and collaborating on technology issues related to remote reporting, including Zoom audio/video and Realtime functionality
- Producing transcripts at a high volume, including expedited and daily transcripts
- Uploading shorthand notes, audio recordings, transcripts, reports and other documents
- Transcribing digital audio records
- Adhering to all requirements of the Court Reporter Management Plan and the Guide to Judiciary Policy
- Performing administrative duties as assigned
Application Info
Applicants must submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Three professional references
To be considered for this position, visit our agency website to submit the online application, along with the above-listed documents. Please be sure to fully complete your application by providing all work history from the past ten years. Attachments should be submitted as Microsoft Word (DOC) or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files. Other formats are not acceptable.
Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments, in the appropriate format, are received by the Human Resources Unit.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.