Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim reporting of proceedings held before United States District Judges and Magistrate Judges and for the transcription of those proceedings on request. Court Reporters must be able to read back all or any portions of the court record, to perform well under pressure, to produce transcripts within strict time limitations, and to work as part of a team of reporters for the Judges of the Court.
Summary
Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim reporting of proceedings held before United States District Judges and Magistrate Judges and for the transcription of those proceedings on request. Court Reporters must be able to read back all or any portions of the court record, to perform well under pressure, to produce transcripts within strict time limitations, and to work as part of a team of reporters for the Judges of the Court.
The duties of a Court Reporter include, but are not limited to:
Attend and record verbatim by shorthand or mechanical means court sessions; read back portions of court record, as required.
Provide transcripts within the time and cost limitations set by the Judicial Conference; electronically file with Clerk of Court a copy of all transcripts prepared after delivery to the requesting parties.
Provide transcripts to the court upon request, without charge, of all arraignments, pleas and proceedings in connection with the imposition of sentence in criminal cases.
Promptly certify and file all original shorthand notes, audio files, and other original records of proceedings.
Perform such administrative duties as required, such as billing for transcripts, financial and other record keeping, preparation and filing of required Administrative Office reports, and responding to official correspondence and telephone calls.
You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position.
The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations.
The U.S. District Court is a drug-free workplace and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have at least four years of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service or in other courts, or a combination of the two. The successful applicant must also have qualified by testing for listing on the registry of professional reporters of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference given to applicants who possess a Realtime Certification from NCRA or USCRA; possess a Certificate of Merit from the National Shorthand Reporters Association; and/or possess software and hardware used to produce real-time transcripts in the courtroom.
Additional information
This position is open until filled with preference given to applications received 01/11/2026.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.
All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.
Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant's own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.
All promotions are subject to the approval tf the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
The United States District Court for The District of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Up to 13 days paid annual leave per year for the first 3 years of employment; 20 to 26 days per year thereafter (dependent upon the length of federal service).
11 paid holidays per year.
13 days of paid sick leave per year.
Up to 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave, if qualified.
Excellent retirement package (enhanced Federal law enforcement retirement benefits):
Mandatory participation in the Federal Retirement System (FERS) and Social Security programs.
Optional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k)-styled program with a matching component of up to 5%, with diversification control.
Full extension of health benefits.
Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period).
Optional vision and dental insurance programs of your choice (no waiting period).
Optional participation in a flexible spending program for health and/or dependent care.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Complete applications will be reviewed based on Judiciary qualification standards. Applicants selected for interview will be evaluated based upon the question responses they provide during the structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions, the applicant should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what they did, and the outcome.
Up to 13 days paid annual leave per year for the first 3 years of employment; 20 to 26 days per year thereafter (dependent upon the length of federal service).
11 paid holidays per year.
13 days of paid sick leave per year.
Up to 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave, if qualified.
Excellent retirement package (enhanced Federal law enforcement retirement benefits):
Mandatory participation in the Federal Retirement System (FERS) and Social Security programs.
Optional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k)-styled program with a matching component of up to 5%, with diversification control.
Full extension of health benefits.
Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period).
Optional vision and dental insurance programs of your choice (no waiting period).
Optional participation in a flexible spending program for health and/or dependent care.
Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
Your most recent performance evaluation (strongly preferred). **A recent letter of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. It is preferred that the letter of recommendation be from a current or recent supervisor.
Copies of Certificates of Proficiency, Merit and/or Realtime.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit the following with their online application:
Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
Your most recent performance evaluation (strongly preferred).
A recent letter of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. It is preferred that the letter of recommendation be from a current or recent supervisor.
Copies of Certificates of Proficiency, Merit and/or Realtime.
Attachments should be submitted only as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents. Other formats are not acceptable.
Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments (in proper format) are received by the Human Resources Division.
Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.
US District Court, District of Arizona
401 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
US
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) to the District of Arizona employment website, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, applications will be referred to the hiring manager who will determine who will determine who may be contacted for an interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
Your most recent performance evaluation (strongly preferred). **A recent letter of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. It is preferred that the letter of recommendation be from a current or recent supervisor.
Copies of Certificates of Proficiency, Merit and/or Realtime.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit the following with their online application:
Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
Your most recent performance evaluation (strongly preferred).
A recent letter of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. It is preferred that the letter of recommendation be from a current or recent supervisor.
Copies of Certificates of Proficiency, Merit and/or Realtime.
Attachments should be submitted only as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents. Other formats are not acceptable.
Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments (in proper format) are received by the Human Resources Division.
Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.
US District Court, District of Arizona
401 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
US
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) to the District of Arizona employment website, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, applications will be referred to the hiring manager who will determine who will determine who may be contacted for an interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
