Federal

Official Court Reporter

U.S. Courts ยท Judicial Branch
๐Ÿ“ Saint Louis, Missouri CR-1/4 $97,876 - $112,557/yr
Posted: Apr 28, 2026 Deadline: Jul 28, 2026 (Closes in 87 days days left)

About This Position

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.

Qualifications

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. ($97,876) 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. ($102,770) 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. ($107,663) 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. ($112,557) 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.

Major Duties

The Offical Court Reporter ensures 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.

Conditions of Employment

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. Citizenship-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.

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.

Education

At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and have a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your resume/application must demonstrate the required experience/education.

Additional Information

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. 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. 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. 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.

The complete announcement is found here. Eastern District of Missouri Clerk's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all documents listed below in ONE PDF FILE to [email protected]. Subject of Email: CR-0725 Cover letter Current resume Contacts for 3 Professional References Copy of Certifications AO 78 Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment

Required Documents

Cover letter Current resume Contacts for 3 Professional References Copy of Certifications AO 78 Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Official Court Reporter position at U.S. Courts?
The salary range for this position is $97,876 - $112,557/yr. This is a CR-1/4 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Official Court Reporter job located?
This position is located in Saint Louis, Missouri. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
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 Rep...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Jul 28, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does CR-1/4 mean?
CR-1/4 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.