Court Reporter

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Consider this unique opportunity working for the Ministry of Attorney General in the Superior and/or Ontario Court of Justice as a Court Reporter, where you will provide certified, verbatim recordings of all court proceedings.

In this irregular, on-call position you will work 0 to 36.25 hours per week, with no guaranteed hours. The hours you work will be determined by operational requirements of the courthouse and may be scheduled to work with late notice.

Court Services Division is committed to a diverse, respectful and professional workplace that reflects OPS values.

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About the job

You will:
• ensure the effective operation of ministry approved court-recording devices
• make annotations to the court record in accordance with Ministry Annotation Standards for Digital Recordings
• ensure the security of the court recordings, safeguarding against unauthorized access or copying
• ensure quality of audio recording to ascertain and verify all contents of recordings
• speak publicly during court proceedings to seek clarification and to ensure audio is being recorded clearly
• process documentation filed in court (example: Factums, copies of exhibits)
• prepare and maintain courtroom for proceedings (example: posting dockets, providing court dates, opening and closing court, administering oaths)
• respond to inquiries and provide instruction to clients via telephone, in person or via correspondence (example: email) relating to the recording of proceedings

NOTE: The successful candidates will be provided on-the-job training by an experienced co-worker.

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have a driver's license to travel to court locations as required.

Technical Knowledge:

• You have an understanding of courtroom decorum and protocol as well as court practices, procedures and directives to prepare and maintain the courtroom for proceedings.
• You have the ability to acquire knowledge of legal terminology.
• You have the ability to interpret and apply relevant sections of federal and provincial legislation defining the recording of court proceedings and the types of proceedings (example: Criminal Code of Canada and Provincial Offences Act).
• You have the ability to acquire knowledge and apply understanding of program services, manuals, policies, procedures, guidelines and standards pertaining court practices areas (example: criminal, civil, family and small claims court) and the recording of proceedings (example: Courtroom Procedures Manual, Ministry Annotation Standards for Digital Recordings).

Communication, Interpersonal and Client Service Skills:

• You have listening and comprehension skills to ensure an accurate and complete recording of proceedings.
• You can work effectively in a team environment and exhibit professional and respectful behaviour and ensure the workplace is free from bias, harassment and discrimination.
• You can provide professional, responsive and accessible customer and client service.
• You can remain composed and provide information/instruction to a variety of stakeholders (example: judiciary, counsel, police, court staff and the general public) in a courteous and respectful manner.
• You can address small to large groups of individuals in a public setting (example: opening and closing court, administering oaths).
• You can prepare a variety of written documents (example: routine correspondence to clients, forms and orders).

Organizational Skills and Attention to Detail:

• You have accurate keyboarding skills to annotate court proceedings.
• You have the ability to organize and prioritize your workload and to respond to unforeseen demands.

Problem-Solving and Judgment Skills:

• You have demonstrated problem-solving skills in order to work independently to identify, address, resolve or refer clients' problems and concerns.
• You can maintain confidentiality and security for all recordings.
• You can use tact to interrupt and clarify court proceedings and to ensure an accurate and complete recording.

Computer and Digital Recording Skills:

• You have the ability to operate and troubleshoot digital recording equipment and related software (example: Liberty Court Recorder, Liberty Court Player) to ensure the proper recording and annotation of court proceedings, provide playback upon request of the court and resolve operational and technical issues.
• You are proficient with word processing and email software (example: MS Word, Outlook) to prepare correspondence and court papers as well as input and access information.

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Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Talent Acquisition Branch (TAB), HR Service Delivery Division (HRSDD) to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• C-AG-170028/2021 - OPS commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism: We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
  We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
  Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
  We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.