Montana is hiring: Court Reporter - Electronic or Stenography (18001) in Bozeman

Overview

The first review of applications will be October 14th, 2025. This position will be open until filled. Please submit the required documents on the State of Montana Careers website.

Required Documents

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

• Cover Letter

• Three Professional References

• Writing Sample

Applications with missing required documents will not be reviewed in the recruitment process.

When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings and weekends.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

Position Overview

• Technical work as an Official Court Reporter for the Honorable Judge Rienne H. McElyea of the 18th Judicial District in Bozeman, MT.
• Position will start January 2nd, 2026.

Job Duties

• Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 3-5-603, solely responsible for capturing and preserving a verbatim record of court proceedings using computerized recording equipment or a stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription software.
• Set up equipment, conduct sound check, monitor operation of and dismantle recording equipment or stenograph machine in courtroom, conference rooms, judge\'s chambers, or other locations as directed by the judge.
• Maintain a complete record of all verbal communications and to provide an intelligible record including nonverbal incidents in the proceedings.
• Remind parties, as necessary, to speak clearly and one at a time to ensure the integrity of verbatim record.
• During proceedings, upon request of the judge or litigants, locate and read or play back portions of proceedings.
• Maintain a high level of concentration and attentiveness throughout all court proceedings, regardless of disruptions and other unpredictable and adverse conditions.
• Utilize computer equipment and software for preparation of transcripts.
• Transcribe, proofread, certify, and distribute official transcripts.
• Provide court reporter coverage for other judges within the assigned district and for other judges sitting on proceedings held in the assigned district. Remain current on computerized court reporting technology.
• Communicate with litigants and the public regarding requests for official transcripts.
• Provide administrative support as assigned by the judge.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a courtroom, hearing room, conference room, judge\'s chambers, or remotely via Zoom or another electronic audio-visual platform. May include travel assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Preference given to graduates of a postsecondary court reporting (Stenography) program approved by the NCRA and the Montana Supreme Court.
• Experience as an official court reporter in a courtroom setting is preferred, but new court-reporting graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Relevant experience may substitute for formal stenography program completion where the candidate can demonstrate excellent typing skills, ability to operate and troubleshoot computerized recording systems, ability to produce transcripts, and understanding of court procedures.
• Preferred but not required: Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Certification and Verified Realtime Reporter (CRR) Certification, maintained by obtaining continuing education units in accordance with NCRA guidelines.