Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under direction of the Chief Hearing Reporter and Presiding Workers’ Compensation Judge, the Hearing Reporter provides assistance and support to Workers’ Compensation Judges and to the Department of Industrial Relations in adjudication and administrative matters. Takes verbatim accounts of conferences, hearings, trials, and other formal meetings in machine shorthand. Takes and transcribes dictated summaries of hearings. Prepares verbatim transcripts and other legal or administrative documents using computer-aided transcription and word-processing software. Enters statistical data in data management programs. Copies and scans documents using various office equipment. Performs incidental related clerical and stenographic work.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click  here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3.

To be considered for this Hearing Reporter job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:  T his advertisement will run until filled with the cutoff date for review of applications on the 3rd Friday of each month.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at:

1800 30th Street, Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93301-1929

The incumbent works in a smoke-free environment. Work may be performed in high-rise buildings with elevators and stairs or in courtrooms/offices at ground level, under LED lighting, controlled temperature, quiet to moderate noise levels. Cubicle with computer, phone, and other office equipment. The position requires the ability for prolonged sitting and to work at a computer for extended periods of time and to move and transport office items including stenotype equipment and documents in a safe manner. May require travel to other locations throughout the state.

Special Requirements

• Ability to type at a rate of not less than 50 net words per minute.
• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Experience:  

(1) One year of experience taking and transcribing verbatim accounts of conferences, hearings, proceedings, trials, and other formal meetings in shorthand or machine shorthand writing; or
(2) Possession of a State of California License as a Certified Shorthand Reporter; or
(3) Possession of a Certificate of Proficiency or a Certificate of Merit issued by the National Shorthand Reporters’ Association (NSRA). [Completion of 18 months of full-time study at a school specializing in Hearing Reporter training may be substituted for not more than half of the required experience under Pattern 1.]

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials are free of errors;
• Knowledge of legal, medical, and other technical terminology;
• Knowledge of customary hearing procedures;
• Knowledge of computer-aided transcription (CAT) software;
• Skill to adapt to changing situations and maintain a calm and even disposition under trying circumstances;
• Skill to act impartially towards all parties during a proceeding;
• Skill to follow oral and written directions;
• Skill to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner;
• Skill to operate the stenographic machine at the speed required to effectively report all proceedings;
• Ability to read and write English at a level equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade and as required for successful job performance;
• Ability to take dictation at the rate of 200 words per minute in shorthand or machine shorthand writing;
• Ability to record hearings verbatim continuously for several hours and transcribe notes with skill, speed, and accuracy after an interval of time;
• Ability to dictate accurately and clearly from notes;
• Ability to hear the spoken word (with our without aids)
• Ability to maintain consistent and regular attendance;
• Ability to develop and maintain knowledge and skills related to specific tasks, methodologies, materials, tools, and equipment;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to tactfully interrupt court proceedings to clarify testimony;
• Ability to maintain and balance priorities to ensure a consistent workflow.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Paid Sick and Vacation
• 11 Paid State Holidays
• Alternate/Modified Work Schedule
• 401(k), 457 and Roth IRA Plans
• Retirement (CalPERS)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Pre-Tax Parking Program

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:  DIR Applicant Survey

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office,

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