Official Court Reporter

Official Court Reporter

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

16927

Department

District Courts

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

8/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Position Overview:

This position provides court reporter coverage for the 178th District Criminal Court. The reporter is responsible for all hearings, trials, and court proceedings, and for custody of admitted exhibits and filing exhibits with the proper departments. An official court reporter is a sworn officer and holds office at the pleasure of the court.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Document and provide legal transcripts.
• Creates word-for-word transcriptions and must possess accuracy in spelling and grammar.
• Accurately documents names of people and places involved, detail oriented.
• Assists trial attorneys strictly to the Code of Judicial Conduct as promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas.
• Assists the Court or Court of Coordinator during docket call when instructed by the judge.
• Responsible for creating on-time records to the Court of Appeals and any parties requesting records.
• The job responsibilities include working before, during and after an emergency or disaster.
• Performs other administrative duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Certification and Experience:

• Active certification by the Court Reporters Certification Board in the state of Texas.

• Certified as a shorthand reporter by the Texas Supreme Court.

• Minimum of one (1) - year trial experience.

• Must be proficient Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) software or be willing to learn and use it as a court reporter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A person may not be appointed an official court reporter unless the person is certified as a shorthand reporter by the Texas Supreme Court and certified by The Court Reporters Certification Board in accordance with TX Govt Code Ch.52.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Minimum of one (1) - year trial experience, preferably in Criminal trials.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Or as required by the court.

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
• Plus, benefits | Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including a comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Courtroom and office environment.
• May be working in multiple courthouses as needed.
• Able to lift and carry the Stenograph machine and exhibits, as needed.

Location:

• Harris County District Courts - 1201 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to the Judge of the 178th District Criminal Court

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Do you have an active certification by the Court Reporters Certification Board in the state of Texas?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you certified as a shorthand reporter by the Texas Supreme Court?

• Yes
• No

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable years of trial experience? (To be considered, qualifying experience MUST be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year but less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years or more
• I do not have this experience.

04

Do you have one (1) year of criminal trial experience?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx