City of Houston

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY

City of Houston  •  $189k - $196k/yr  •  Onsite  •  3 hours ago
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Job Description

Posting number: 38296

Department: Legal

Job classification: ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Attorney

Summary

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Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY II

Section: REAL ESTATE

Location: 900 BAGBY, HOUSTON, TX

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change

LEGAL DEPARTMENT:

The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Houston (the “OCA”) provides municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees while adhering 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 – Placing honesty and ethical behavior first.
  • Dignity & Diversity – Promoting each person’s value.
  • 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 OCA 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 OCA must be committed to “Service Through Law.”

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused planning and development attorney to handle matters related to Houston planning and development rules and needs especially in the absence of zoning.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Researching and advising City departments on planning and development matters including items regarding property located in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, annexations, replat applications, property variances, special minimum lot size designations, and general platting and planning matters.
  • Acting as counsel to the Planning Commission, Houston Archeological and Historic Commission, Tower Commission, and Houston Airport Board of Adjustment. at various commission and board meetings including Historical Commission and Planning Commission.
  • Drafting and training clients on relevant City policies, procedures, and City Code amendments.
  • Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney legal opinions.
  • Working with litigation teams on disputes involving transactions relating to City of Houston planning and development policies and requirements.

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.

Examples of duties

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:

Minimum of four years of experience practicing law and 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:

Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with:

  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in a planning and development practice preferably in a governmental entity in Texas
  • Exceptional drafting skills
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Above-average academic performance
  • Willingness to take the initiative to identify and solve business and legal issues
  • Experience working with federal, state, and local agencies
  • Member of at least one professional planning and development organization
  • Proficiency with Office 365 and the use of technology in the practice of law
  • Willingness to work extended hours as needed to accommodate work demands

**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.**

Supplemental information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, the Department may administer a skill assessment evaluation.

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 the appropriate classification.

Pay Grade: 27

Salary Range: Salary will be determined depending on 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.cfmor call (832) 393-6214.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.

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.

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 Employment Opportunity

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.

City of Houston

About City of Houston

Home to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, celebrated restaurants featuring flavors from 35 countries, world-renowned theater groups and the brains behind U.S. space exploration, Houston is a diverse metropolis brimming with personality.

With nearly 21,000 concerts, plays, exhibitions and other arts programs presented in Houston annually, residents and visitors have access to a wide variety of cultural programs. On any given night, it's a safe bet that there's a show somewhere in Houston's Theater District. More than 2 million people visit the Downtown area each year to attend one of the city's world-class performances. Within the Museum District you will find eighteen world-class institutions, including the Menil Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are clustered in this area, drawing a reported seven million visitors to the district each year.

Houston’s restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as its 4 million residents. ForbesTraveler.com ranked Houston as one of the best restaurant cities in America. The city is jam-packed with more than 8,000 tempting eateries that feature culinary flavors from more than 35 countries.

With 56,405 acres of total park space, Houston rates first among the nation's 10 most populous cities in total acreage of park land. The 165 public and private golf courses around the city and teams in nearly every major professional sport keep sports fever high year-round.

The city also employs over 22,000 full-time staff to keep the city running. We are always looking for everyone from Engineers to IT Professionals, from entry level to executive level. Check back here for current postings, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cohcareers or on Twitter @COHCareers for all the up to date recruitment happenings!

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Houston, TX
Year Founded
1836
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