PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires extensive keyboard use and close monitoring of television, with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the Office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. This position is tied to the Senate floor schedule and requires working extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires graduation from a captioning or court-reporter training program, and specialized closed-captioning training, with five to eight years of professional field experience and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of the Senate organization and congressional documents/terminology.
Knowledge of American history and current events.
Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary.
Ability to react quickly when there is no dictionary entry by forming and finger-spelling words.
Knowledge of computerized transcription systems and broadcast equipment.
Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedures and organization, congressional documents/terminology, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate.
Skill in the use of captioning equipment.
Ability to use a computer and relevant computer software programs.
Ability to consistently write near verbatim captions with a minimum 98.5% accuracy rate.
Ability to quickly adapt writing to new and unfamiliar subject matter.
Ability to make split-second decisions in a stressful and demanding work environment.
Ability to quickly and accurately identify Senators by sight, voice, state, or state seniority.
Ability to listen, comprehend, and write for continuity, sense, and detail.
Ability to quickly retain and recall information while captioning in realtime.
Ability to work extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate schedule.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Registered Professional Reporter or Certified Real-Time Captioner or equivalent certification.