United States Senate Sergeant at Arms
Official Reporter of Debates
United States Senate Sergeant at Arms, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Official Reporter of Debates
United States Senate Sergeant at Arms
Work Hours Legislative staff office hours are dictated by Senate floor activity; may require long, irregular hours.
Organization Secretary of the Senate
Department Official Reporters of Debates
Salary Range SEC-12: $115,225 – $178,602
Federal Relay Service Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 TTY
Telework This position is not eligible for telework.
FLSA Status Belo 60
Application Deadline 1/19/2026 at 7:00pm EST
Job Description Nature of Work:
This is specialized, professional stenographic work reporting and editing the oral proceedings of the Senate and incorporating proper parliamentary language for publication in the Congressional Record (the Record). Work includes taking verbatim record of daily Senate oral proceedings and editing information for grammatical and technical errors to ensure accuracy of the Record.
Essential Functions:
Report and edit the verbatim oral proceedings of the Senate; report legislative measures being considered in the Senate with proper parliamentary language; report party caucuses using a stenographic machine; identify and correct grammatical and contextual errors of spoken words to present information accurately in the Record; insert appropriate punctuation; research and verify accuracy of quotations, citations, names, and dates referred to in debate; and make necessary corrections to accurately reflect information in the Record.
Verify with Senate floor staff or Senators if there is a question about whether information should be included in the Record; coordinate removal/insertion of information in the transcripts of other Official Reporters of Debates (Reporters), at the request of Senators; and work closely with floor staff and other Reporters to ensure continuity of information reported throughout the day.
Ensure appropriate material is included in the Record; obtain copies of documents not read on the floor but requested to be printed in the Record; determine proper insertion point of statements and information not read on the floor but requested to be included in the Record; insert material according to established guidelines; and confirm with floor staff the accuracy of spoken words that are not clearly identifiable.
Review work of Expert Transcribers for accuracy and clarity of transcribed material; and identify and resolve formatting errors or concerns with Expert Transcribers.
Listen attentively to all Senate floor activity in order to accurately report official debate and other remarks made on the Senate floor.
Maintain current knowledge of the Office of Official Reporters of Debates Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; and participate in periodic exercises and drills.
As part of the Secretary’s customer service initiative (known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.
Minimum Qualifications Work requires a high school diploma and either state court reporter certification or National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification with a minimum of seven years of professional field experience; and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedures and organization, congressional documents/terminology, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of parliamentary procedure and ability to report proceedings accurately while ensuring material conforms to parliamentary procedure.
Knowledge of American history and current events.
Knowledge of English, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary.
Knowledge of Senate rules and protocol regarding order and decorum in and around the Senate floor.
Skill in the operation and use of stenographic and transcription equipment.
Knowledge of CaseCatalyst software preferred; ability to learn CaseCatalyst software required.
Ability to listen and write for continuity, sense, and detail while walking or standing with stenographic equipment.
Ability to quickly and accurately identify Senators by sight and voice.
Ability to retain and quickly recall information.
Ability to work extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate schedule.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate.
Physical Demands And Working Environment Work is performed in an office environment and on the Senate floor with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, prolonged standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds with the use of a shoulder harness and tray; extensive reading and computer use; regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. This position is tied to the Senate Floor schedule and requires working extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate.
Licenses, Certifications, And Other Requirements State court reporter or NCRA certification required, with the following three certifications preferred: Registered Merit Reporter (RMR), Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR), or Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).
Veteran's Preference Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are not current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who are disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”) may be eligible to receive a preference over non‑veterans in hiring decisions. Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’ preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference. To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’ Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf The Office of the Secretary of the Senate may not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’ preference may be denied. Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries Government Administration
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United States Senate Sergeant at Arms
Work Hours Legislative staff office hours are dictated by Senate floor activity; may require long, irregular hours.
Organization Secretary of the Senate
Department Official Reporters of Debates
Salary Range SEC-12: $115,225 – $178,602
Federal Relay Service Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 TTY
Telework This position is not eligible for telework.
FLSA Status Belo 60
Application Deadline 1/19/2026 at 7:00pm EST
Job Description Nature of Work:
This is specialized, professional stenographic work reporting and editing the oral proceedings of the Senate and incorporating proper parliamentary language for publication in the Congressional Record (the Record). Work includes taking verbatim record of daily Senate oral proceedings and editing information for grammatical and technical errors to ensure accuracy of the Record.
Essential Functions:
Report and edit the verbatim oral proceedings of the Senate; report legislative measures being considered in the Senate with proper parliamentary language; report party caucuses using a stenographic machine; identify and correct grammatical and contextual errors of spoken words to present information accurately in the Record; insert appropriate punctuation; research and verify accuracy of quotations, citations, names, and dates referred to in debate; and make necessary corrections to accurately reflect information in the Record.
Verify with Senate floor staff or Senators if there is a question about whether information should be included in the Record; coordinate removal/insertion of information in the transcripts of other Official Reporters of Debates (Reporters), at the request of Senators; and work closely with floor staff and other Reporters to ensure continuity of information reported throughout the day.
Ensure appropriate material is included in the Record; obtain copies of documents not read on the floor but requested to be printed in the Record; determine proper insertion point of statements and information not read on the floor but requested to be included in the Record; insert material according to established guidelines; and confirm with floor staff the accuracy of spoken words that are not clearly identifiable.
Review work of Expert Transcribers for accuracy and clarity of transcribed material; and identify and resolve formatting errors or concerns with Expert Transcribers.
Listen attentively to all Senate floor activity in order to accurately report official debate and other remarks made on the Senate floor.
Maintain current knowledge of the Office of Official Reporters of Debates Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; and participate in periodic exercises and drills.
As part of the Secretary’s customer service initiative (known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.
Minimum Qualifications Work requires a high school diploma and either state court reporter certification or National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification with a minimum of seven years of professional field experience; and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedures and organization, congressional documents/terminology, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of parliamentary procedure and ability to report proceedings accurately while ensuring material conforms to parliamentary procedure.
Knowledge of American history and current events.
Knowledge of English, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary.
Knowledge of Senate rules and protocol regarding order and decorum in and around the Senate floor.
Skill in the operation and use of stenographic and transcription equipment.
Knowledge of CaseCatalyst software preferred; ability to learn CaseCatalyst software required.
Ability to listen and write for continuity, sense, and detail while walking or standing with stenographic equipment.
Ability to quickly and accurately identify Senators by sight and voice.
Ability to retain and quickly recall information.
Ability to work extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate schedule.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate.
Physical Demands And Working Environment Work is performed in an office environment and on the Senate floor with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, prolonged standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds with the use of a shoulder harness and tray; extensive reading and computer use; regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. This position is tied to the Senate Floor schedule and requires working extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate.
Licenses, Certifications, And Other Requirements State court reporter or NCRA certification required, with the following three certifications preferred: Registered Merit Reporter (RMR), Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR), or Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).
Veteran's Preference Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are not current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who are disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”) may be eligible to receive a preference over non‑veterans in hiring decisions. Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’ preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference. To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’ Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf The Office of the Secretary of the Senate may not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’ preference may be denied. Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr