Conference Captioner Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In today’s fast-paced communication landscape, the role of conference captioners has never been more critical.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for skilled professionals who can facilitate, enhance, and ensure access to this global conversation grows stronger.

But what does the job of a conference captioner truly entail?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker looking to understand the core of this role,
• A hiring manager mapping out the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the field of conference captioning,

You’ve landed in the right place.

Today, we present a flexible conference captioner job description template, crafted for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive straight into it.

Conference Captioner Duties and Responsibilities

Conference Captioners provide live transcription services during conferences, webinars, and meetings.

Their role is crucial for ensuring information accessibility and inclusivity, especially for attendees who are hard of hearing or deaf.

The duties and responsibilities of a Conference Captioner include:

• Provide real-time captions for conferences, meetings, and webinars
• Use specialized software to transcribe spoken words into written form
• Ensure that captions accurately reflect the content and tone of the speaker
• Edit captions for grammatical errors and clarity
• Ensure the timely delivery of captions during live events
• Maintain confidentiality of all spoken content during captioning
• Work closely with event organizers to understand the subject matter and prepare for specific terminology
• Provide post-event transcripts if required
• Upgrade and maintain captioning equipment and software
• Regularly improve typing speed and captioning accuracy

 

Conference Captioner Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking an experienced Conference Captioner to provide real-time captioning services for various conferences and events.

The successful candidate will transcribe spoken words into written form, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the transcription.

This includes understanding diverse accents, industry-specific jargon, and quick typing speed.

 

Responsibilities

• Providing real-time captioning for conferences, seminars, meetings, and other events
• Ensuring accuracy and completeness of transcriptions
• Editing transcriptions for clarity and readability
• Working in cooperation with event organizers and speakers to understand context and specialized terminology
• Using specialized software and equipment for captioning
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies
• Checking and correcting errors in transcriptions
• Ensuring transcriptions are delivered in a timely manner

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a professional captioner or transcriptionist
• Fast typing speed with high accuracy
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to understand diverse accents
• Knowledge of industry-specific terminology
• Good understanding of grammar and punctuation rules
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Professionalism and respect for confidentiality
• Certification from an accredited captioning program is a plus

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Conference Captioner
• Work Environment: Remote work is common. Some travel may be required for in-person events.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Event Coordinator or Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $45,000 minimum to $75,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Conference Captioner Do?

Conference Captioners are specialized professionals who provide live transcription services at conferences, seminars, and other similar events.

Their primary duty is to convert the spoken content of a conference or event into written form in real-time, ensuring that the audience, especially individuals with hearing difficulties, can keep up with the proceedings.

This is done through a process known as captioning.

Using a stenotype machine, stenography software, or voice recognition software, Conference Captioners capture every word, sound, and sentiment being expressed by the speakers, transforming it into comprehensive, readable text.

In addition to live events, Conference Captioners may also work on pre-recorded sessions, where they provide captioning services to aid in understanding the content better.

Their job requires a high degree of accuracy, speed, and an excellent understanding of the language being spoken.

Often, they need to be familiar with the specific terminologies used in various fields, especially when working on specialized or technical conferences.

Conference Captioners may also be responsible for editing and correcting any errors in the captions, ensuring that the final text is grammatically correct, properly punctuated, and accurately reflects the speaker’s intent and tone.

Lastly, they might need to prepare and provide transcripts of the conference for further reference or for individuals who could not attend the event.

 

Conference Captioner Qualifications and Skills

A proficient Conference Captioner should possess skills and qualifications that resonate with the job role, including:

• Typing speed and accuracy to provide real-time transcription of conference proceedings, ideally with a speed of over 225 words per minute.
• Listening skills to clearly understand the content of discussions in order to provide accurate transcriptions.
• Knowledge of captioning software and technology to ensure fast and efficient transcription services.
• Exceptional command of the English language, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation, to ensure quality of transcriptions.
• Concentration skills to maintain focus during lengthy and potentially complex discussions.
• Strong multitasking skills to manage the transcription process while monitoring and correcting any mistakes in real-time.
• Awareness of confidentiality rules to handle sensitive information discussed during conferences.
• Knowledge in specific professional fields such as medical, legal, or technical industries may be beneficial for understanding complex jargon and terminology.
• Customer service skills to interact professionally with clients, addressing any queries or concerns they may have.

 

Conference Captioner Experience Requirements

Conference Captioners typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as English, Communications or Linguistics.

However, the most significant requirement is often specific training in real-time captioning and transcription.

This can be gained through a dedicated program or certification course.

Prior experience in a related field like court reporting or medical transcription can also be beneficial.

Most employers will require at least 1 to 2 years of experience in real-time captioning, demonstrating the ability to transcribe spoken words at a speed of over 225 words per minute with high accuracy.

Experience with specific software tools and technology used in captioning such as voice recognition software, CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), and captioning software is also essential.

For those seeking to advance in their career, experience in training or supervising other captioners, managing large events or handling complex captioning assignments would be valuable.

Finally, they must also have excellent listening skills, a strong command of the English language, and an understanding of the terminology specific to the events they are captioning.

This could be gained through specialized training or on-the-job experience.

 

Conference Captioner Education and Training Requirements

Conference Captioners typically need a high school diploma as a minimum educational requirement.

However, most professionals in this field have a bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or another related field.

In-depth knowledge of the English language, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation is essential.

Similarly, excellent listening skills and fast typing speed are crucial.

They usually undergo specific training programs to master the use of specialized equipment such as stenotype machines, computer-aided transcription systems, and other digital tools.

Some programs include CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) and broadcast captioning.

Captioners may also need to be familiar with the subject matter they will be captioning.

For example, if they work in a legal setting, they may need to learn legal terminology.

Certification is not always required, but it can be beneficial.

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) offers a Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC) credential, which is recognized as a mark of professionalism and expertise in this field.

Continuing education and training are also important for Conference Captioners to keep up with advances in technology and changes in language use.

 

Conference Captioner Salary Expectations

A Conference Captioner earns an average salary of $60,000 (USD) per year.

The actual earnings can vary depending on the level of experience, the complexity of the conference subject matter, and the location of the job.

 

Conference Captioner Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Conference Captioner need?

A Conference Captioner should have excellent typing skills with high accuracy and speed, a deep understanding of the English language including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and superior listening skills to accurately caption live conferences.

They should also be proficient in using captioning software and tools and possess a thorough knowledge of captioning guidelines and standards.

 

Do Conference Captioners require any specific training or degree?

While a specific degree isn’t required, many Conference Captioners have a background in court reporting or communications.

Specialized training in captioning or transcription can be beneficial.

Most importantly, they should have an excellent command of the English language and be able to type quickly and accurately.

 

What should you look for in a Conference Captioner resume?

A Conference Captioner resume should demonstrate a high typing speed with an emphasis on accuracy.

Experience in similar roles such as transcription or court reporting can be beneficial.

Familiarity with different types of captioning software is also important.

Other skills to look for include attention to detail, excellent listening skills, and the ability to work under pressure.

 

What qualities make a good Conference Captioner?

A good Conference Captioner is quick, accurate, and detail-oriented.

They are excellent listeners who can accurately transcribe spoken language into written text in real-time.

They should also have good knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and be able to handle different accents and speech patterns.

It’s also crucial for them to be able to work under pressure, as live captioning requires immediate accuracy.

 

What are the challenges of hiring a Conference Captioner?

Hiring a Conference Captioner can be challenging as it requires finding someone with a very specific skill set, including high-speed typing, excellent listening skills, and a thorough understanding of the English language.

They also need to be comfortable with the technology used in captioning.

Additionally, the role can be high-pressure, requiring someone who can maintain accuracy while working in real-time.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve unveiled the essence of being a Conference Captioner.

Surprised?

It’s not just about transcribing words.

It’s about building bridges of understanding, one caption at a time.

With our essential Conference Captioner job description template and real-life instances, you’re more than ready to make a leap.

But why settle there?

Dig deeper with our job description generator. It’s your next stop for crafting precise job listings or refining your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every caption is a step closer to making communication more accessible.

Let’s create that accessibility. Together.

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