New, Informative Video Series Is an Outgrowth of the New York State
Court System’s Community Outreach and Civic Engagement Efforts
NEW YORK–To better acquaint New Yorkers and others with the wide range of court
career opportunities available across the State–with the aim to further expand and
diversify the pool of potential job candidates–Chief Administrative Judge Zayas and
First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George today announced the
release of an engaging “Careers in the Courts” video series, narrated in part by Deputy
Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson. The videos,
which highlight some of the many rewarding positions in the New York State Courts in
fields as diverse as law enforcement, technology, library science, and social work,
among others, are available online at NYS Unified Court System (nycourts.gov) and on YouTube (see YouTube links below).
The new Careers in the Courts video series began as an idea to create a film to inform
students and others in the Capital Region about court career opportunities in the Albany
area. Supervising Family Court Judge Richard Rivera of the Capital Region’s Third
Judicial District–who now serves as Statewide Coordinating Judge for Family Court
Matters–first proposed the idea. His idea evolved into a statewide, grant-funded project,
with the video series announced today produced through Youth FX. Youth FX is an
Albany-based organization that seeks to empower young people of color in
neighborhoods that have been historically underserved by teaching them digital media
technology and then offering them paid internships with the entity’s production
company, Rogue FX. The interns, working with experienced professional videographers
at Rogue FX, were able to utilize the skills they acquired through Youth FX to produce
these videos for the court system. “I am very excited about our new Careers in the Courts video series.
It will go a long way in spreading the word about the Court System’s important work and the many,
varied employment opportunities–from entry to senior-level positions–available within
the courts that offer meaningful work, competitive pay, and generous benefits, and
support the New York State Courts’ critical mission to deliver equal justice under the
law. These engaging videos also demonstrate the Court System’s deep commitment to
ensuring both that our workforce reflects New York’s rich diversity and that all who enter
or serve in our courts are treated with dignity and professionalism,” said Chief
Administrative Judge Zayas. “I am particularly gratified that these newly released
videos, having been produced by young people from under-represented communities,
exemplify the positive impact of our court-community partnerships and civic
engagement efforts in demystifying the Court System’s role and structure and
enhancing public trust and confidence in the State’s judicial branch.”
“As they say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ indicating the potential reach of
these engaging videos in raising awareness about the many career paths offered by the
New York State Courts and attracting the best, the brightest, and the broadest diversity
of job applicants,” said First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George. “Along with
our gratitude to Judge Richardson for her role as narrator, we are thankful to Judge
Rivera for his vision and to the Third Judicial District Careers in the Courts Committee
for turning the project into a statewide endeavor. For several months, Amelia Lepore
Sessions, now the District Executive, the District’s Jessica Douglas and Anna
Wilkinson, and John Caher, of the courts’ Communications team, worked closely with
the production crew to capture on film what Judge Rivera envisioned. I am so proud of
how wonderfully the courts are represented by those court family members featured in
the series, and greatly impressed with the top-notch videos produced in partnership with
Youth FX/ Rogue FX.”
“It was both a privilege and delight to participate in the making of the Careers in the
Courts video series, which not only highlights the array of career options available within
the New York State Courts but also sheds light on the impactful work of our State’s
judicial branch,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Richardson. “I thoroughly
enjoyed working with the exemplary court professionals featured in the video series—
who did a stellar job of representing our hardworking, dedicated court family—and with
the young filmmakers whose talent and creativity shines through in these lively,
informative videos.” “It has been extremely rewarding to watch my initial idea––
to make a video informing local students, job seekers and others about court career opportunities in the Capital
Region––grow into a statewide endeavor that will serve to raise public awareness about
the Court System’s vital mission and the range of job opportunities available in
courthouses and court facilities across the State,” said Judge Rivera. “I couldn’t be more
pleased with the quality of the Careers in the Courts video series and am deeply
grateful to the many individuals who, whether from behind the scenes or in front of the
camera, participated in this collaborative effort. I would especially like to thank and
commend the young people of Youth FX for doing such a wonderful job and for their
professionalism, dedication, and pride in this work.”
Following are synopses of the six videos comprising the Careers in the Courts series,
and the YouTube link to each video.
Careers in the Courts: Overview –– This film, narrated by Deputy Chief Administrative
Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson, features interviews with a diverse,
eclectic group of employees in various court locations who explain what they do, why it
matters, and the benefits of working for the court system. Careers in the New York Courts – YouTube
Careers in the Courts: Court Officer — In this segment, Court Officer Jennifer Pacheco
explains her role and why serving in this capacity is so professionally rewarding. “Court
officers maintain security and courtroom decorum, providing safety for the customers
who come in, as well as the staff.” Careers in the NY Courts: Court Officer – YouTube
Careers in the Courts: Resource Coordinator — Here, Craig Stratton, at the time the
resource coordinator with Albany’s Supreme Court and County Court, discusses his
work helping those with substance abuse issues who find themselves entangled in the
criminal justice system. “Individuals have come into our court that really were in dire
straits, in total desperation with no hope … I’ve seen them reunite with their families,
I’ve seen them obtain employment, I’ve seen them even go back to college and obtain
degrees.” Careers in the NYS Courts: Resource Coordinator – YouTube
Careers in the Courts: Interpreting — Court interpreter Lourdes Cardona explains how
important it is for people who come to court to find someone who speaks their language.
“At the moment you speak the language, they know that they are going to be heard and
they are going to be able to tell their story, to ask for the remedies that they’re expecting
the court to provide for them.” Careers in the NYS Courts: Interpreting – YouTube
Careers in the Courts: Administrative — Pearl Yu-Rodriguez, senior court clerk, and
George Sanchez, clerical assistant, explain their respective jobs in three words, “to help
people.” Careers in the NYS Courts: Administrative – YouTube
Careers in the Courts: Court Reporter –– Court reporter Cyndi West discusses the
importance and variety of her work. “It’s always something different. You can come in
one day and you’re doing a murder trial. You can come in the next day, you’re doing a
trial in Surrogate’s Court or an adoption. The next day you could be doing a contested
matrimonial. It’s fascinating. It’s never dull and I absolutely love it.”