Live Webinar Captioner Job Description [Updated for 2024]

In the rapidly evolving digital era, the focus on live webinar captioners is more significant than ever.

As technology advances, so does the demand for proficient individuals who can create, maintain, and enhance the accessibility of our online conversations.

But let’s dig a bit deeper: What’s truly expected from a live webinar captioner?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
• A hiring manager aiming to outline the perfect candidate,
• Or simply interested in the unique process of live webinar captioning,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable live webinar captioner job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Live Webinar Captioner Duties and Responsibilities

Live Webinar Captioners play a crucial role in ensuring that webinars are accessible to all participants, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

They transcribe the spoken content of webinars in real time, providing written captions that appear on-screen.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing real-time captioning for live webinars
• Accurately transcribing spoken dialogue, including technical terminology and jargon
• Synchronizing captions with spoken words to ensure readability
• Maintaining strict confidentiality of all spoken content during webinars
• Ensuring all captions are free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Improving typing speed and accuracy to provide faster real-time captioning
• Working with webinar hosts and other team members to ensure seamless delivery of captions
• Using specialized equipment and software to facilitate captioning
• Reviewing and editing captions after the webinar for on-demand viewers

 

Live Webinar Captioner Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a talented and diligent Live Webinar Captioner to transcribe spoken content during live webinars.

The candidate will be responsible for providing real-time captions for webinars, ensuring accuracy and clarity of content, and adhering to specific captioning style guidelines.

The ideal candidate will have excellent typing speed, strong listening skills, and a keen eye for detail.

Proficiency in English grammar and punctuation is crucial for this role.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time captioning for live webinars
• Ensure accuracy of transcriptions and captions
• Adhere to specific captioning style guidelines
• Correctly interpret and convey tone, emotion and intent of the speaker
• Work closely with webinar hosts to ensure clear and accurate communication
• Prepare and review captions in advance if scripts are available
• Handle technical tasks related to captioning software and tools
• Respond to feedback and make necessary adjustments to captioning style

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a live captioner or similar role
• Exceptional typing speed and accuracy
• Excellent listening skills and ability to comprehend various accents and speech patterns
• Proficiency in English grammar and punctuation
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask
• Familiarity with captioning software and tools
• High school diploma or equivalent

 

Benefits

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

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Live Webinar Captioner
• Work Environment: This position can be done remotely. High-speed and stable internet connection is a must.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Captioning Services Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $30,000 minimum to $50,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time, Part-time, Contract basis
• 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 brief description of your captioning experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Live Webinar Captioner Do?

A Live Webinar Captioner, also known as a real-time captioner, provides crucial services to those who are deaf or hard of hearing by transcribing spoken content in real-time during webinars.

They listen to the conversation, speech or presentation happening during a live webinar and convert it into written text that appears on the screen.

This text should be accurate, grammatically correct, and should effectively convey the essence of the dialogue, including relevant details and nuances.

Live Webinar Captioners need to be able to type extremely quickly and accurately, often using specialized software or stenography equipment to keep up with the pace of the spoken word.

They might also be responsible for including speaker identifications, sound effects, and audience reactions in their transcriptions.

Sometimes they may need to do a pre-webinar preparation which involves researching the subject matter, understanding the context and familiarizing themselves with any specific jargon or terminology.

In addition to webinars, they may provide services for live events, broadcasts, meetings, and conferences.

Their primary goal is to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all participants, particularly those with hearing impairments.

 

Live Webinar Captioner Qualifications and Skills

A proficient Live Webinar Captioner must possess a mix of technical skills, language skills, and attention to detail.

Here are some of the required skills and qualifications:

• Outstanding typing skills, with the ability to accurately type at a fast pace, often over 225 words per minute.
• Excellent understanding of the English language, grammar, punctuation and spelling to ensure accuracy in transcriptions.
• High level of proficiency in using captioning software and related technology to provide real-time captions for live webinars.
• Sharp listening skills to accurately transcribe spoken words, even in situations with background noise or multiple speakers.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, real-time environment.
• Strong multitasking abilities to manage webinar setup, live captioning, and troubleshooting simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring all captions accurately represent the webinar’s content and context.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with webinar producers, technicians, and other team members as needed.

 

Live Webinar Captioner Experience Requirements

Live Webinar Captioners typically need to have some experience in transcription or captioning services, especially in live environments.

This experience often comes from relevant roles such as Transcriptionist, Court Reporter, or Caption Writer.

For entry-level positions, candidates might need at least 1 to 2 years of relevant experience.

They might also have gained experience through internships or part-time roles in broadcasting or media companies that offer real-time captioning services.

Candidates with more than 3 years of experience are often more adept at handling high-pressure, live environments.

They would have honed their skills in speed typing, listening, and time management, usually through roles in live television captioning, radio, or other live events.

Those with more than 5 years of experience in the field may have specialized skills such as knowledge of a foreign language or experience in a specific industry such as medical or legal.

At this level, they may also have some leadership experience, having trained and guided less experienced captioners, and may be ready for a supervisory or management position.

Regardless of the level of experience, a Live Webinar Captioner must have excellent typing speed, exceptional listening skills, and a keen eye for detail to ensure accuracy and quality in their work.

 

Live Webinar Captioner Education and Training Requirements

Live Webinar Captioners typically have a high school diploma or equivalent.

However, a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or a related field can be beneficial.

Prior experience in transcription or captioning is highly desirable.

This experience can be gained through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering.

Professional training in real-time captioning and familiarity with various software and technologies used in captioning is essential.

This training can be obtained through specific captioning courses offered by many institutions or online platforms.

Live Webinar Captioners should possess excellent listening skills and a high typing speed.

They must be able to accurately transcribe the spoken word into text, often in real-time.

Fluency in English, including exceptional grammar and punctuation skills, is crucial.

Proficiency in other languages can be an added advantage, especially if the webinar is multilingual.

Certification from organizations like the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) can further enhance a Live Webinar Captioner’s credentials.

These certifications generally require passing an exam that tests both speed and accuracy in captioning.

Continual learning and staying updated with the latest technologies and trends in the field is crucial to ensure career growth and success in this role.

 

Live Webinar Captioner Salary Expectations

A Live Webinar Captioner earns an average salary of $49,843 (USD) per year.

However, the actual earnings can greatly vary depending on factors such as the level of experience, the complexity of the job, the geographical location, and the company that employs them.

 

Live Webinar Captioner Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Live Webinar Captioner need?

A Live Webinar Captioner needs excellent listening and typing skills to accurately caption live discussions in real-time.

They should have a strong understanding of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Additionally, they must be able to work under pressure and maintain focus for extended periods.

Familiarity with relevant technologies and software is also essential.

 

Do Live Webinar Captioners need any specific qualifications?

While a degree is not strictly necessary, a background in English, communications, or a related field can be beneficial.

Many employers require Live Webinar Captioners to have a certain typing speed, often around 200-225 words per minute.

A certification from an organization like the National Court Reporters Association can also be advantageous.

 

What should you look for in a Live Webinar Captioner’s resume?

Besides checking for relevant experience, you should look for evidence of high typing speed, often indicated by a certification.

Additional languages can be a plus, as can experience with specific software used in captioning.

Any experience in transcription or real-time reporting could also be beneficial.

 

What qualities make a good Live Webinar Captioner?

A good Live Webinar Captioner is highly focused and has excellent listening skills.

They should be detail-oriented to ensure the accuracy of captions.

They must also have good time management skills to keep up with the pace of the webinar.

Additionally, they should be adaptable and able to handle technical difficulties or unexpected changes in the webinar content.

 

Is it difficult to hire Live Webinar Captioners?

The demand for Live Webinar Captioners has increased due to the rise of virtual events, which can make finding qualified individuals more challenging.

Moreover, the job requires specific skills, such as fast and accurate typing, which not everyone possesses.

However, with a thorough selection process and an attractive job offer, it is possible to find suitable candidates.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve illuminated the crucial role of a live webinar captioner.

Guess what?

It’s not just about transcribing spoken words.

It’s about breaking down language barriers and enhancing communication in the digital sphere, one caption at a time.

With our expertly crafted live webinar captioner job description template and real-world examples, you’re more than ready to take the next step.

But why halt your momentum?

Dive deeper with our job description generator. It’s your ultimate tool for crafting the perfect job listings or fine-tuning your resume to impeccable precision.

Remember:

Every caption you create contributes to a broader dialogue.

Let’s amplify those voices. Together.

How to Become a Live Webinar Captioner (Complete Guide)

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