Page 12 - Work Force December 2024

December 2024 13
The Work Force
RIVERHEAD — During her 25-year
court stenography career, CSEA
Long Island Judiciary Local Vice
President Darlene Devlin has carved
out a pivotal role recruiting potential
stenographer applicants.
For her efforts, Devlin was
honored with the Danny Donohue
Leadership Award - State
Government at our union’s 114th
Annual Delegates Meeting.
“At times, being a union activist
can feel like a thankless job,” said
Devlin. “Winning this award feels like
a validation that I’m
doing the right thing
and I’m on the right
path.”
Devlin began her
career as a freelance
stenographer before
she became a full-time
employee at the New
York State Unified
Court System.
About seven years
ago, Devlin received a promotion,
and she joined CSEA soon after.
“Because I’ve worked as a
freelancer, I know what it’s like
to not have a contract or union
negotiated benefits,” said Devlin.
“That experience has given me a
greater appreciation for my CSEA
membership. I don’t take it for
granted.”
Recruitment a top priority
Knowing that many court
reporters will be retiring in the next
few years, Devlin has thrown herself
into recruitment efforts in hopes of
increasing the hiring pool.
“We call court stenography the
greatest job that nobody knows
about,” said Devlin. “This job has
afforded me the ability to raise my
daughter and buy a home on my
Devlin: “[Court
stenography is] the
best career no one
knows about”
own. I want other people to know
about it.”
As part of her recruitment efforts,
Devlin works with the National
Court Reporters Association
(NCRA), visiting high schools where
she speaks to students about the
association’s A to Z program, a free
six-week introductory course to
introduce potential students to the
stenography machine and steno
alphabet. The association’s program
also gauges students’ interest and
aptitude for the position.
Devlin brings a
rented or donated
“writer” when she
meets with students
to help students
familiarize themselves
with the machine.
“College is great
for some people, but
not everyone wants
to attend a university.
You’re also not
guaranteed a job after school,” said
Devlin. “Due to the high demand
[for court stenography], students
receive immediate placement after
completing the A to Z Program.”
Devlin’s other avenues for
recruitment include successfully
networking with the Suffolk County
District Administrative Judge and
the New York State Court Reporters
Assocation (NYSCRA), which helped
CSEA members by bringing experts
into the field that could help facilitate
Court Recess Training.
To help potential stenographers
pass the New York State Unified
Court System’s (NYSUCS) Court
Reporter Examination, Devlin and
other professional court reporters
participated in dictation sessions for
students at Plaza College, enabling
the students to practice before the
next exam.
“It’s a passion of mine to help
people to get into the NYSUCS. I
want them to have the stability and
the benefits that I have,” said Devlin.
“When I was first getting into the
field, so many people helped me. I
want to pay it forward.”
Devlin notes that people are often
worried about technology taking
over the stenographer position,
when the truth is lack of interest in
the field is the true problem.
“If no one is interested in these
positions, the courts will have to
rely on technology to fulfill the role,”
said Devlin. “The technology is
subpar and it cannot do what a court
stenographer does. This job is not as
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, left, and Long Island Region President
Jarvis Brown, right, congratulate Region 1 Judiciary Local Vice President
Darlene Devlin, center, on receiving the Danny Donohue Leadership
Award – State Government.
“When you have the
support of CSEA
leadership, you
can get so much
accomplished. Their
assistance is an
important benefit of
our membership.”
From left to right, during a civil service exam practice session are Reid
Goldsmith, retired New York State Senior Court Reporter and President of
the New York State Court Reporters Association (NYSCRA); Karen Santucci,
Court Reporting Program Director at Plaza College and NYSCRA Vice
President; Harriet Brenner-Gettleman, NYSCRA Immediate Past President
and current Third Department Director at NYSCRA, and owner/director
at Real-time Center for Learning and CSEA Long Island Region Judiciary
Local Vice President Darlene Devlin, who is also an active member of
NYSCRA. (2023 file photo provided by Darlene Devlin.)
simple as Siri voice to text. There is a
lot more involved.”
Recognizing Devlin’s passion
for recruitment, the NYSCRA has
asked Devlin to be on their board of
directors, a position that she holds
as of early November.
Devlin will be teaching a seminar
about working in the courts system
at the association’s next convention.
Devlin credits CSEA for giving her
the support that she needs to fulfill
her recruitment goals.
“When you have the support of
CSEA leadership, you can get so
much accomplished,” said Devlin.
“Their assistance is an important
benefit of our membership.”
— Wendi Bowie