LABOR & EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY SR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY

Job Classifications: SR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY 
Section: LABOR
Reporting Location: 900 BAGBY
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00 AM – 6:00 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 – 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 over 100 of Houston’s finest attorneys across ten sections, the Legal Department has the pivotal role of providing litigation support, negotiating and drafting contracts, handling taxation matters, advising on personnel actions, dealing with the acquisition and sale of City property, overseeing City elections, handling redistricting matters, and dealing with neighborhood protection and quality of life issues.

Every member of the Legal Department is committed to “Service Through Law.” 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused litigation attorney to join the Legal Department’s Labor, Employment and Civil Service section. The ideal candidate has first-chair experience defending clients in state and federal lawsuits, labor arbitrations and administrative hearings. They are able to work independently and as part of a team, and with a diverse workforce. They possess good interpersonal skills, creativity, and excellent written and oral communication skills. In addition, the ideal candidate will have knowledge of Federal and State labor and employment laws including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, the Texas Labor Code, and Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.
 
 Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Handling all aspects of labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts.
• Representing the City in federal and state administrative charges or agency matters (e.g., EEOC, DOL, TWC and comparable agencies). 
• Handling contested administrative evidentiary proceedings.
• Counseling client departments regarding labor, employment, and civil service matters.
• Providing guidance on, drafting, and reviewing City and Departmental policies.
• Drafting, reviewing, or revising city ordinances.
• Handling or assisting with collective bargaining.
• Developing and delivering training and education on a variety of employment and labor law topics.
• Completing special projects assigned by management. 
• Mentoring less experienced attorneys
• Managing outside counsel.

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.

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 8 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:
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 a condition of employment.Preference will be given to applicants with: 

• Minimum eight (8) years of litigation and/or counseling experience in labor and employment law.
• Experience representing management in employment matters preferred, but not required.
• Familiarity with Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
• Familiarity with the Texas Labor Code, Texas Commission of Human Rights Act.
• Familiarity with Texas Local Government Code Chapters 143 and 174.
• General understanding of constitutional law.
• General understanding of federal, state, and local rules relating to litigation and appeals.
• Excellent oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience working with federal, state, or local governmental entities.
• Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate case load demands.
• Proficiency with the Office 365 suite of programs, including Word, Outlook, and Excel, as well as Westlaw Edge and the use of technology in the practice of law.
• Above average academic and professional achievement.

**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**SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED None
However, the Department may administer a skills assessment test.
 
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION     No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if candidate is promoted into this position, he/she must pass an assigned 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 Range: 30 to 35
Salary Range: $104,000 up to $142,500 - 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.cfm or call (832) 393-6214.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-6214.
If you need login assistance or technical support call (855) 524-5627.

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.

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.