Attorney: Proposition A

ATTORNEY: PROPOSITION A

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ATTORNEY: PROPOSITION A

Salary

$104,905.32 - $161,011.24 Annually

Location

900 Bagby-City Hall Annex

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

35205

Department

Legal

Opening Date

10/07/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

Description

Benefits

Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Title: Sr Assistant City Attorney I to Sr Assistant City Attorney III - Transactional

Section: General Counsel

Location: 900 Bagby

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm* *Subject to Change

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

The City of Houston Legal Department strives to provide the highest quality municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees in the most efficient manner feasible through adherence to the following guiding principles:

Quality & Service – Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients.
Partnership & Teamwork – Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City's goals.
Integrity & Candor – Acting with a commitment to honesty and ethical behavior.
Dignity & Diversity – Demonstrating esteem for the worth of each individual.
Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City's objectives.
Composed of approximately 100 of Houston's finest attorneys working in 10 legal practice sections, the Legal Department handles personal injury, commercial and civil rights litigation, major commercial and real estate transactions, and a diverse array of human resources, labor and employment matters, while also counseling the municipal corporation on economic development, constitutional, election matters, ethics and quality of life matters, and preparing City ordinances governing Houston and its citizens.
Every member of the Legal Department is committed to "Service Through Law."

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston seeks a detail-oriented transactional attorney with at least ten (10) years of experience to join the General Counsel section.
On November 20, 2023, as a result of citizen-led petition, Proposition A went into effect allowing three (3) or more city councilmembers to request in writing any lawful item(s) be placed on the agenda of any designated, regular meeting of City Council, consistent with the notice requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
The successful candidate will provide legal counsel to city council members by serving as special legislative counsel to aid council members place agenda items for consideration by City Council.
The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing council-sponsored item(s) to determine whether the item is lawful and if it meets the appropriate legal standards (eg.
not preempted by state law, constitutionally sound etc.).
The successful candidate will work exclusively with the city council members and their staff in developing, drafting, and presenting the item(s) to City Council for consideration.
When not working on a Proposition A item(s), the successful candidate will assist the General Counsel section and provide legal counsel to elected and appointed officials, client departments, and City boards and commissions.
These matters include advice on: Texas Public Information Act requests, elections, bond and commercial paper transactions, ethics and conflicts of interest, political advertising, legislative analysis, contracts, the Texas Open Meetings Act, rules of statutory construction, constitutional law issues, as well as City Code and policy drafting.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Working exclusively with council members and their staff in advising on council-sponsored agenda item(s).
Conducting legal research to determine if the agenda item(s) is lawful.
Handling all aspects of drafting, reviewing, and placing the item(s) on the agenda.
Meeting deadlines to ensure the item(s) is timely considered by City Council.
Coordinating with council member staff and stakeholders on agenda item(s).
Managing the entire committee review process for an agenda item(s).
Drafting legislation, ordinances, resolutions, and opinions.
Responding and managing Texas Public Information Act requests through GovQA software.
Special assignments by the City Attorney.
WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc.
There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL:

Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.
Requires basic computer skills and working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
EXPERIENCE:

For Senior Assistant City Attorney I: Minimum of 8 years of experience practicing law.
For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: Minimum of 13 years of experience practicing law.
For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: Minimum of 18 years of experience practicing law.
Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court.
License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment.
LICENSE:

Must be a member of the Texas State Bar on or about the first day of employment.
If selected for this position, official proof of a J.D.
degree and membership in the Texas State Bar is required and membership in the state bar must be kept current as a condition of employment.
PREFERENCES

PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Exceptional research and writing skills

Excellent analytical skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Experience in public law

Experience working with state, local, or federal governmental entities.
Understanding of municipal government

Proficiency with the Office 365 suite of programs, including Word, Outlook, Excel, TEAMS, OneDrive Business, as well as electronic legal research tools such as Westlaw Edge, Practical Law, and Drafting Assistant.
Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.
GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, all applicants must upload a current resume in addition to completing the application.
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.
SALARY INFORMATION:

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.
Pay Grade: 30 to 35

Salary Range: Between $104,905.32 and $161,011.24 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown.
Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832)393-6214.
Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.
All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.
If you need special services or accommodations, call (832)393-6214.
If you need login assistance or technical support call (855) 524-5627.
EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan.
Benefits include:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Wellness

Supplemental Insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement pension

457 deferred compensation plan

Employee Assistance Program

10 days of vacation each year

11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

Compensable Sick Leave

Personal Leave

Flexible schedules

Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

Professional development opportunities

Transportation/parking plan

Section 125 pretax deductions

Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
Yes

No

02

Do you possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law?
Yes

No

03

Are you a member of or eligible to become a member of the State Bar of Texas?
Yes

No

04

How many years of experience do you have practicing law?
I have less than 8 years of experience.
I have 8 years but less than 10 years of experience.
I have 10 years but less than 13 years of experience.
I have 13 years but less than 18 years of experience.
I have 18 years or more of experience.
05

Please describe how your legal experience relates to this position.
06

Have you submitted a current resume in addition to completing the application?
Yes

No

07

Have you ever been disciplined by a State Bar Association?
Yes

No

08

Has your right to practice law ever been limited?
Yes

No

09

With respect to academic performance in law school please indicate your placement within your class.
Top 25% (1st Quarter)

26 - 50% (2nd Quarter)

51 - 75% (3rd Quarter)

Bottom 25% (4th Quarter)

I don't know.
10

What range best represents your annual salary requirement?
$100,000 - $130,000

$130,000 - $160,000

$160,000 - $190,000

Required Question