Title: Court Recording Monitor - Middlesex Superior Court

Pay Grade: Grade 13-14

Starting Pay: $60,819.46

Departmental Mission Statement: The Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/superior-court

Notes:

• THIS POSTING IS FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE MIDDLESEX SUPERIOR COURT, CLERK’S OFFICE ONLY.
• This position may require travel to the Lowell or Woburn Superior Court locations.

• This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

Position Summary: The Courtroom Monitor position series is responsible for regularly staffing court sessions, performing specific functions such as recording court proceedings by utilizing digital recording systems, monitoring the digital recordings to ensure complete and audible recording, and maintaining log notes to assist with transcription. Conducts review of audio before release to ensure compliance with rules of court and confidentiality. The Courtroom Monitor is responsible for the general operation and maintenance of the digital recording system. Additional duties include entering data in automated systems within an office of a Clerk-Magistrate and providing service to any individuals who have business with the court. The position title above the entry level requires increasingly responsible and varied work, in depth knowledge of Trial Court procedures and operations, and the exercise of more independent judgment. Employees are hired at the entry-level position title and are eligible for reclassification to the higher-level position title within this series consistent with the specifications for the higher-level position title. The position title reverts to the entry level when there are vacancies.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS:

• Courtroom Monitor I - This is the entry-level position title within this series. Employees at this level are expected to monitor digital recording systems, perform case processing duties and a variety of duties which teach them the business of the office.
  
  
• Courtroom Monitor II - This is the second level position title within this series. Employees at this level are expected to perform higher functioning duties as described below, which requires more knowledge of Trial Court procedures and operations and the exercise of more independent judgment.
  
  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Courtroom Monitor receives direction from and reports to the Clerk Magistrate or his/her designee.

Duties:

Courtroom Monitor I Duties:
• Regularly attends to sessions of court, ensuring that the session is digitally recorded, giving directions to the parties as necessary for recording purposes, and performing related duties as necessary;
• Receives training and assists experienced users on MassCourts, a comprehensive, integrated, case management system, performs extensive docketing and scheduling;
• Monitors the digital recorder (e.g., monitor, microphones, cables) to ensure a complete and audible recording;
• Determines and directs changes in microphone and speaker position for optimum recording quality;
• Maintains detailed log notes and relevant lists (e.g., exhibit, juror, witness) to assist with transcription;
• Plays back recorded court proceedings, marks items, and prepares typed-written material requested by the Court;
• Produces and reviews recordings of court proceedings to ensure compliance with court rules and confidentiality;
• Responsible for the general operation and maintenance of the digital recording system;
• Performs basic preventative maintenance service on recording equipment;
• Receives, marks, and maintains custody of papers and exhibits offered at trials or hearings, and ensures their security;
• Prepares, accepts, notates, preserves files, and performs case processing functions;
• Provides administrative support when necessary and performs related duties as required.

Courtroom Monitor II Additional Duties:
• Participate in staff development and training opportunities;
• Trains Court Monitor I's on the duties of the position as necessary;
• Prepares and reviews Audio Assessments of original/duplicate CD recordings to identify problems and develop solutions for optimum recording quality;
• Establishes quality control procedures for recording court proceedings, while maintaining log notes and relevant lists;
• Serves as a liaison to the Superior Court Administrative Office, to address their digital recording and transcription needs;
• Provides administrative support and performs all related duties of the lower level as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Court Monitor I Requirements:
• Graduation from high school or its equivalent and five years of experience in an office of Clerk Magistrate or Register of Probate, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Ability to operate and monitor a digital recorder;
• Ability to understand the complexities and requirements of digital recording and processing transcript orders in an effective way;
• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of recording court proceedings, maintaining files, records, and superior court case management;
• Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of personal computers and related software including Microsoft Windows, Word, and WordPerfect;
• Ability to use spreadsheets, including Microsoft Office, Excel, or Access preferred;
• Knowledge of court process and legal terminology preferred;
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• Ability to work professionally with judges, attorneys, court officials, court employees, and the public, and to maintain effective working relationships;
• Ability to perform administrative duties relative to Court Transcription;
• Ability to organize and clearly present written material, as demonstrated by the preparation of court forms, digital recording records, and statistical reports;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form; and
• Ability to work independently and follow oral and written instructions.

Court Monitor II Additional Requirements:
• A minimum of three years of experience as Court Monitor I;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully train a Court Monitor I on the duties of the position, and participates effectively in staff development and training opportunities;
• Demonstrated ability to carefully review digital recordings for optimum quality, detailed log notes and relevant lists for quality control;
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational problems with recording court proceedings, processing transcript orders, and recommends feasible solutions to correct or solve those problems;
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties with minimal supervision and to exercise more independent judgment.