Court Reporters | Multiple Locations

Job Description

Ngā Kaipato Kōrero o te Motu/National Transcription Service, Te Tāhū o te Ture/Ministry of Justice

A unique perspective on the justice system – making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders.

You could be working entirely from your home (subject to a suitable working environment), based at a Ministry of Justice site as listed below or in a hybrid arrangement. 

Whangarei, North Shore, Auckland Central, Papakura, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru and Invercargill.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

An accurate record is often at the heart of the justice system, and transcription is an essential part of that.

In the demanding role of National Transcription Service (NTS) Court Reporter, no two days are the same. You will be transcribing a variety of court and other cases in a changeable and fast-paced work environment.  You will be part of a national network working together behind the scenes (not in a courtroom) to transcribe audio recorded anywhere in the country.

There are two types of core work:

• Evidential transcription - often of live court requiring a fast turnaround. This includes Criminal, Family, Civil, Environment, Coronial and Employment hearings.  You will complete the majority of these transcripts as part of a small team working with colleagues across the NTS network.
• Non-evidential transcription - provided after the court event has occurred. Examples include bails, sentencing notes and oral judgments.  You will complete the majority of these transcripts on your own. 

You will be exposed to the full gamut of cases e.g. a murder, sexual offending, fraud, a parenting dispute, an assault in a bar or a new wind farm or an employment dispute..  You will need resilience.  Some content can be distressing and it can be a physically and mentally challenging environment.  Your well-being is a priority for us and you will have the necessary tools and supportive environment to succeed at your role.

The role is most suited to those who are willing to spend the majority of their time using a computer to produce transcription but it is easy to get lost in the courtroom events coming through your headphones and the days pass quickly.  You could also be exposed to voice transcription and editing of speech‑to-text technology as these are onboarded into our environment. 

The role does not have a ‘front-facing' element i.e. you will not be dealing directly with clients/participants but you will be communicating online or in person with other transcribers and court registry colleagues.   As we are a nation-wide entity with important service level expectations, you are only assigned work when “on the clock” and will not return from leave with work requiring completion.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

• An accurate audio-typing base speed of 70+ words per minute (wpm) with the expectation this will increase with training in the use of smart transcription tools;
• A high standard of written English (comprehension, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and grammar);
• Fully competent in a Windows based environment (particularly MSWord) - with the ability to learn new systems and navigate through multiple applications;
• Composure under pressure: adaptable and able to productively, but safely, self-manage in an often-changeable environment;
• Must be willing to improve Te Reo Māori capability and embrace Te Ao Māori;
• Experience in a detailed focused/ quality driven environment;
• The ability to understand and apply legal protocols and court procedures;
• The ability to handle upsetting content;
• The ability to research/ learn complex terminology (e.g. legal/ medical/ scientific/ industrial);
• Excellent, customer-focused decision making.

While previous transcription experience may be desirable, this role would suit someone with great computer skills who is interested in experiencing a unique window into the legal world and justice sector. 

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.

Creating a continuous learning environment is important to us. As the successful applicant, you will bring your thirst for knowledge and improvement. You will have an individual training plan and be supported to carry out the role.

As an organisation we support our people with building their wellbeing knowledge and understanding offering a range of wellbeing tools and support.

Being such a large and diverse organisation, we can offer you great career challenges, roles and opportunities.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.  

Ngā Huanga/Further Benefits

• Access to a Te Reo Māori Allowance (based on Te Taura Whiri Māori Language Commission Assessment).
• Flexible working hours between 7.30 am and 7.00 pm - you must be available for core live transcription hours of 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (minus a 30-60 minute lunch break).
• Ability to accrue extra hours worked and use at a later date.
• Start your employment with 4.4 weeks of paid annual leave, increasing to five weeks after five years' employment. You will also receive a supplementary week of long service leave once every five years.
• Reimbursement for the cost of a hearing or an eye test every two years. Where the test shows that hearing aids or glasses are required for work purposes, the Ministry will contribute up to $300 towards glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids (including GST and inclusive of cost of test).
• Reimbursement of up to $100 for medical visits once a year.
• Actual and reasonable sick and domestic leave from employment commencement.
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides a professional, confidential and free counselling service.
• Career opportunities across Ministry of Justice.
• An even distribution of workload.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $58,729 and $80,794 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description at the bottom of this advert, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on 5 May 2024; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz  

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