Full Time Official Court Reporter

Duty Station: St. Louis, MO

Status: Full-Time Permanent

*Salary Range: $96,907, $101,753, $106,599, $111,443 *Classification dependent on qualifications. *Salary level requires approval by the Administrative Office.

Posted: 12/15/2025

Reports To: Chief Deputy, Operations/Court Services

Transfers: Yes

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Position Summary

The position is a full-time appointment with the Eastern District of Missouri. Official Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim reporting of both civil and criminal proceedings held before the United States District Judges, and as directed for proceedings before Magistrate Judges, and for the transcription of those proceedings upon request. All proceedings shall be reported using electronic machine shorthand equipment that produces an electronic storage media capable of translation and printing by computer-assisted transcription equipment. All court reporters shall be required to record via electronic sound recording equipment (magnetic/digital) all proceedings in this District and shall maintain the electronic media in their custody until separation from duty.

Official Court Reporters provide transcripts within the time and cost limitations set by the Judicial Conference; electronically file with the Clerk of Court a copy of all prepared transcripts concurrently with delivery to the requesting parties. Fees for transcripts sold to private parties are established by the Judicial Conference and are retained by the Official Court Reporter.

Although this position is based in St. Louis, all Court Reporters are expected to serve all judges of the court and travel to Cape Girardeau and Hannibal Divisional courthouses on occasion is required. Court Reporters serve under the appointing authority of the Clerk of Court, are guided by and responsible for following policies and administrative procedures contained in the Court Reporter Management Plan for the Eastern District of Missouri, and the personnel policies applicable to the employees of the Clerk of Court. Court Reporters are expected to do all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements

Must have at least one year of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service, in other courts, or a combination thereof. Starting at Level 1 to Level 4 based on education and experience. In addition:

To qualify for Level 1, incumbent must have a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association. ($96,907)

To qualify for Level 2, incumbent must have a Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association. Salary range represents a 5% increase over the Entry Level 1. ($101,753)

To qualify for Level 3, incumbent must have a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association or equivalent certification. Salary range represents a 10% increase over the entry Level 1. ($106,599)

To qualify for Level 4: Incumbent must have a Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification AND Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR or CRR) certification. Salary range represents a 15% increase over the entry Level 1. ($111,443)

Applicants must be capable of providing realtime reporting and will be expected to provide transcripts and/or realtime feed for judges upon request, without charge. Realtime certification is preferred, but candidates who are capable of providing realtime and are actively working toward certification will also be considered.

Benefits

• Paid Annual Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (11)
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Pre-tax Benefit Programs
• Health Insurance
• Vision/Dental Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Defined contribution retirement benefits (FERS)
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)- 401 (k)-styled program with up to 5% match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parking/Commuter Benefit Program
• Virtual Judiciary Online University

Background Investigation Requirements

The selectee considered for this position is required to undergo an FBI Background Check and/or Investigation as a condition of employment. The selectee may then be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon favorable suitability determination of the background investigation.

All applicant information is subject to verification. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process, as well as disciplinary action if discovered after hire.

Application Procedure and Information

Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests.

Citizenship-Requirements- Employment-Judiciary.pdf

Learn More About Judiciary Policies

The organization reserves the right to assign and/or reassign an employee to any location within the district based on the needs of the organization.

Qualified persons are to submit:

• cover letter,
• current résumé,
• completed application for judicial branch employment, Form AO-78 (available at http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/AO078.pdf )
• contact information for three professional references
• copies of certifications

Application materials may be submitted via mail or e-mail to the following address:

moed_employment@moed.uscourts.gov

U.S. District Court

Eastern District of Missouri

Attention: CR-0725

111 South 10th Street

St. Louis, MO 63102

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

There may be an opportunity for a recruitment bonus to a newly appointed employee or a relocation bonus to a current federal employee (in any branch of government) who must relocate to a different geographic area to accept a position without a break in service. After review of the application packets, highly qualified applicants will be invited in for one or more personal interviews. Due to the volume of applications received, only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted. Employees of the federal judiciary must adhere to all Judicial Conference regulations, follow the policies in the Guide to Judiciary Policy, and are bound by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Link: The Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees Link: Your Employee Rights and How to Report

Direct deposit of pay is required. Positions with the U.S. Courts are “excepted service” positions and employees serve “at will.” The U. S. Clerk's Office reserves the right to amend or withdraw any announcement without written notice to applicants. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the appointing authority may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without re-posting the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $96,904.00 - $111,443.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person