Position Overview Official court reporters record each session of the Court and every other proceeding designated by rule or order of the Court or by a district court judge, magistrate judge, or land commissioner. All proceedings are reported using electronic machine shorthand equipment and electronic storage media capable of translation and printing by computer-assisted transcription equipment. Electronic sound recording equipment may be used to augment this primary source of reporting cases. Court reporters are generally required to travel occasionally within the district. Court reporters are guided by and responsible for following the policies and administrative procedures contained in the Court Reporter Management Plan for the Southern District of Florida. Qualifications Requirements: Must have at least one year of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service or in other courts, or a combination thereof. Must have qualified by testing for listing on the registry of professional reporters (RPR) of the National Court Reporter Association (NCRA) or passed an equivalent qualifying examination. All Official Court Reporters employed in this Court are required to utilize Computer-Aided Transcription (C.A.T.). Preferred Qualifications Real-time reporting and a Certificate of Merit are highly desired. Desirable Characteristics The successful candidate should be a self-starter, mature, highly organized, possess tact, good judgment, poise, initiative (the average reporter produces more than 15,000 pages per year), and always maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. Must work harmoniously with others in a team-based organization, and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Important Dates
Opening: 7/2/2026
Closing: Open Until Filled
U.S. District Court, Southern District of
Florida
There are eighteen authorized United States District Judges in the Southern District of Florida. The Court is comprised of United States District Judges, Senior United States District Judges, and United States Magistrate Judges. The district spans a geographical area that encompasses nine counties - its southernmost includes Monroe County and its northernmost includes Indian River County. The Clerk's Office maintains its headquarters in downtown Miami and includes four divisional courthouses.
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Pay Rates Pay rates are determined by certification(s), hire date, and any prior service in the federal courts. The recommendation of the Court is a prerequisite for any increase or combination of increases after hire. Certifications • Registered Professional Reporter (RPR): Has attained an RPR
credential by passing the qualifying exam and is listed on the registry of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
• Merit certification: Registered merit reporter certificate from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
• Real-time Certification: Successful completion of a certified real-time examination by NCRA or equivalent exam. Certificate must be presented at the time of appointment; transcripts are not accepted.
(For Court Reporters Hired on or after October 11, 2009) • Level 1: $101,660 - Starting Salary - RPR listing is required. • Level 2: $106,742- Starting salary plus 5% - Requires merit
certification. • Level 3: $111,825 - Starting salary plus 10% - Requires real-time
certification. • Level 4: $116,908 - Starting salary plus 15% - Requires real-time
certification and merit certification. (For Court Reporters Before October 11, 2009) • Level 1: $101,660 - Starting Salary - RPR listing is required. • Level 2: $106,742 - Starting salary plus 5% - Requires:
o Either merit certification o Or at least ten (10) years of service in the federal courts • Level 3: $111,825 - Starting salary plus 10% - Requires:
o Either real-time certification o Or merit certification and at least ten (10) years of
service in the federal courts real-time certification. • Level 4: $116,908 - Starting salary plus 15% - Requires:
o Either real-time certification and at least ten (10) years of service in the federal courts
o Or real-time certification and at least ten (10) years of service in the federal courts merit certification
• Level 5: $121,992 - Starting salary plus 20% - Requires real-time certification, merit certification, and at least ten (10) years of service in the federal courts.
Probationary Selection Candidates with 4 or more years of prime court reporter experience who do not possess the RPR may apply for this position and could be selected. Candidate must demonstrate that he/she has taken the RPR
How to Apply Qualified applicants should submit the required documents listed below as a single PDF document. Email address: flsd_hrmail@flsd.uscourts.gov Subject Line: 2026-CLK-21 Attachments: Cover letter, resume, Federal Employment Application (AO 78), and Court Reporter Addendum. Current federal employees must also provide the most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action". AO78 and Court Reporter addendum can be found on our web site under the employment tab/how to apply. Please note: A Court Reporter who is currently assigned to an active Judge within the Southern District of Florida must submit a written endorsement from their Judge.
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certification test each (every) time it is offered until the certification is obtained. Any selected court reporter who does not meet RPR qualification is on probation until the requirement is fulfilled. Transcript Fees In addition to salary set by the Judicial Conference, an official court reporter is entitled to transcript fees from any party who has contracted with the court reporter for transcript services. For more information on the transcript fees - Link: Federal Court Reporting Program | United States Courts (uscourts.gov) Organizational Relationship This position is assigned to the Clerk's Office and reports to the Administrative Manager or another designee of the Clerk's Office. Benefits Employees of the United States District Court are Excepted Appointments and considered At-Will judicial employees. Federal Government Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply. Electronic direct deposit of salary payments is mandatory. Full-time employees are eligible for a full range of benefits such as paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits that include the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). TSP is a 401(k) equivalent program that includes matching contributions. Additional benefits include health and life insurance, dental and vision insurance, and a Flexible Benefits Program which includes medical and dependent care reimbursement. Background Investigation & Fair Chance to Compete Act This is a Sensitive position within the Judiciary. The selected candidate will be subject to a technical fingerprint check through the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division database as a condition of employment. Employment will be considered provisional until the background check is completed. This position is covered under the FCA. Only those candidates who receive a conditional job offer will be asked to provide verbal or written statements about criminal history.
Employment eligibility Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work for the judiciary as outlined here: Citizenship Requirements for Employment in the Judiciary
The court will screen all applications, and the best-qualified applicants will be invited for personal interviews. The court provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation, please notify human resources. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For more information on working for the federal courts, please visit http://www.uscourts.gov/Careers.aspx
United States District Court - Human Resources
400 North Miami Avenue, Room 08S72, Miami, FL 33128-7717 General Information: (305) 523-5980
District Court Website: www.flsd.uscourts.gov
The Federal Courthouse has been designated a non-smoking area. THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER