Assistant County Attorney - Environmental Division

Harris County; Houston (TX); Híbrido; USD 90.000 - 150.000; Tempo integral

Benefícios oferecidos por esta vaga

Telework program

Compensatory time off for overtime

Resumo da vaga

Harris County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) in Houston, Texas seeks an attorney for the Environmental Division. The role focuses on state court enforcement of environmental laws, fire code, and floodplain regulations. The attorney will handle case development, research, pleadings, and litigation, under supervision.

Hybrid remote schedule is available; compensatory time may be earned for hours beyond 40 per week. Doctor of Jurisprudence and Texas Bar license required.

Qualificações

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active Bar license in good standing in Texas.
• Strong research and written advocacy skills.

Responsabilidades

• Represent Harris County in state court enforcement matters related to environmental laws and floodplain/fire code regulations.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and related legal documents; manage a caseload.
• Perform legal research and work with technical experts to develop cases.

Conhecimentos

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Collaboration

Formação

Doctor of Jurisprudence

Active Texas Bar license

Ferramentas

Westlaw

Microsoft Word

Adobe/PowerPoint

Descrição da vaga

General Summary: The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is seeking an attorney to join our Environmental Division in a position that will specialize in state court enforcement of environmental laws and related county regulations – primarily focused on fire code and floodplain enforcement. Under the supervision of the Division Director and Deputy Division Director, the attorney will be responsible for managing an active caseload, focused on representing the County’s interests in state court enforcement matters. The attorney in this role is responsible for assisting with case development, legal research, development of legal theories, drafting pleadings and briefs, and handling litigation.

The attorney will have the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. The Environmental Division currently operates on a flexible hybrid remote schedule, and the selected candidate may likewise be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts legal, and technical research and reviews case law to issues as they develop in cases.
• Utilizes databases, such as EJScreen, to assist in developing cases.
• Investigates facts and obtains evidence in cases.
• Work closely with technical experts to develop cases.
• Drafts legal documents, including, petitions, discovery, motions, and briefs.
• Be prepared for court hearings, and trial.
• Develops and manages relationships with clients, courts, the public and other work groups related to assigned cases.
• Monitors cases to ensure that all deadlines are timely met.
• Reviews and responds to motions filed by opposing counsel.
• Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
• Ensures proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
• Maintaining case files electronically in OpenText.
• Responding promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
• Participates in one-on-one sessions with the Division Director/Deputy Director to give and receive feedback. Participates in Division staff meetings.
• Collaborate with colleagues on the development of new and pending matters.
• Encourages and mentors attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Duties

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx. If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education and Licensure

• A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association-accredited college of law.
• Active Bar License in Good Standing for the State of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work in a collaborative group.
• Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the Texas and Federal environmental statutes and regulations, the Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Ability to comply with the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures and the policies of the County Attorney.
• Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and exercise good judgment.
• Occasional ability to work extended hours to accommodate case load demands.
• Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
• Ability to comply with office training requirements.

About the Harris County Attorney’s Office (HCAO)

Located in downtown Houston, HCAO serves as the chief civil law office for Harris County, Texas’s largest county. The office represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and multiple emergency network agencies in civil legal matters. The office also provides legal advice and counsel to County elected officials, appointed officials, departments, and employees.

With more than 300 attorneys and staff, the office handles a broad range of public law, including general counsel services, defensive litigation, affirmative and special litigation, employment, environmental enforcement, real estate, property tax, compliance and revenue, child protective services, disability and elder law, hospital district representation, communications and outreach, and the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library. The County Attorney’s Office plays a vital role in protecting the legal interests of Harris County, advising public officials, supporting effective county operations, and serving the residents of Harris County through high-quality, ethical, and professional legal work.

About County Attorney Abbie Kamin

Harris County Commissioners Court appointed Abbie Kamin to serve as County Attorney. She took office on June 15, 2026. Kamin is a native Houstonian, attorney, and public servant who has represented District C on Houston City Council since 2020. Prior to her service on City Council, she practiced law with a focus on general civil litigation and civil rights litigation, including work involving voting rights and Title IX matters. She also served as Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League’s Southwest Region and previously worked in Texas Legislature. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from Tulane University. County Attorney Kamin leads the office with a focus on effective legal representation, sound public administration, professionalism, and service to Harris County residents.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional weekends and holidays as necessary.
• Hours may vary based on the business needs of the HCAO.

Work Environment and Physical and Mental Demands

• This job typically operates in a professional office environment, and the individual in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.
• This is largely a sedentary role that requires standing or sitting for prolonged periods, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body, repetitive motions requiring dexterity such as keyboarding that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, communicating with others to exchange concepts and information, problem-solving, decision-making, organization, the ability to read/write, and the ability to manage workplace stressors such as adversarial interactions.

Compensation

• The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidate’s qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function.
• Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs, health benefits, and retirement plans. In addition, the position is eligible for the accrual of compensatory time off for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, consistent with Harris County personnel policies and procedures.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.