ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY I (ENTRY LEVEL)

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ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY I (ENTRY LEVEL)

Salary

$81,426.00 - $86,520.00 Annually

Location

1400 Lubbock

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

31371

Department

Legal

Opening Date

05/01/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY I (ENTRY LEVEL)

Division: MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION

Reporting Location: 1400 LUBBOCK

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

ABOUT THE 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 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 is committed to "Service Through Law."

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston Legal Department is seeking an energetic, motivated and focused entry level attorney to prosecute Class C misdemeanor cases arising under City Ordinances and other laws of the State of Texas before judges and juries in the City of Houston Municipal Courts.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performing citizen intake and direct filing of charges

• Researching and analyzing ordinances, statutes, case law, administrative opinions, rules of procedure and evidence and drafting legal memoranda

• Interacting extensively with the public, defense attorneys, judges, court personnel, police officers and inspectors

• Conducting, reviewing, and preparing discovery

• Representing the City of Houston and State of Texas in civil and administrative proceedings such as dangerous dog, animal cruelty and tow hearings

• Researching, analyzing, and drafting criminal complaints

• Performing legal research and preparing formal and informal legal opinions regarding criminal and municipal law

• Counseling the city's departments about city ordinances and state statutes

• Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney Legal Opinions and City Ordinances

• Must be able to work flexible schedules including days, nights, and some weekends.

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 law school.

EXPERIENCE:

No experience is required but must, on or within 6 months of the first day of employment with the City of Houston, 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.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Comfort engaging with a diverse clientele representative of the City of Houston

• Experience in a trial-based law school clinic

• Experience in mock trial, trial advocacy, or moot court in law school

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Excellent analytical skills

• Excellent research capabilities

• Above average academic achievement

• Practical experience with recent developments in Texas criminal statutes

• Familiarity with municipal or public law

• Proficiency with Office 365 Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, TEAMS, One Drive, Share Point, as well as Westlaw Edge and the use of other technology in the contemporary practice of law

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

All applicants will be expected to provide a writing sample, transcripts, and letter(s) of recommendation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No

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: 24

Salary: $81,426 - $86,520.

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 Employment

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

• 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

• Flexible schedules

• Professional development opportunities

• Transportation/parking plan

• Section 125 pretax deductions

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• 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 the State Bar of Texas?

• Yes

• No

  04

  What best describes your years of experience in the practice of general civil law, specialized municipal law or comparable legal experience?

• I have no experience.

• I have less than 6 months of experience.

• I have more than 6 months but less than 1 year of experience.

• I have more than 1 year but less than 2 years of experience.

• I have more than 2 years of experience.

  05

  Which best describes your experience in criminal law? Please include all experience in criminal law gained from internships, externships, and other pursuits.

• I have no experience in criminal law.

• I have less than 6 months experience in criminal law.

• I have more than 6 months but less than 1 year of experience in criminal law.

• I have more than 1 year but less than 2 years of experience in criminal law.

• I have more than 2 years of criminal law experience in criminal law.

  06

  Please describe how your legal experience relates to this position. If none, please enter N/A. "See resume" is not acceptable and will delay your application.

  07

  Which best describes the number of trial advocacy activities that you participated in while in law school? Please include all activities including trial advocacy or moot court classes, competitions, and exercises.

• 0 - 3 activities

• 4 - 7 activities

• 8 - 11 activities

• Over 11 activities

  08

  Which best describes the number of times that you have argued before or presented to the court (this includes activities using a third-year bar card under the supervision of a licensed attorney)?

• 1 - 3 times

• 4 - 7 times

• 8 - 11 times

• Over 11 times

• I have never argued before or presented to the court.

  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?

• $65,000 - $67,000

• $67,001 - $69,000

• $69,001 - $71,000

• Over $71,000

  11

  Have you ever been disciplined by a state bar association?

• Yes

• No

  12

  Please indicate how many times you have taken the Texas bar exam?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 3 or more

  13

  Has your right to practice law ever been limited in any jurisdiction?

• Yes

• No

  14

  In law school, did you participate in a trial-based legal clinic, such as a criminal defense clinic, immigration clinic, or even a family law or probate clinic involving contested matters?

• Yes

• No

  Required Question