PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston, Office of the City Attorney, seeks a planning and development attorney to handle matters related to Houston planning and development rules, especially where zoning may be absent. The role supports multiple city commissions and provides policy advice and legal opinions.

Qualifications include a JD from an ABA-accredited school, active Texas Bar membership, and a minimum of four years of experience in law. A strong drafting ability and knowledge of Office 365 are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Requires JD from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar.
• Eligible for admission to Federal court.

Responsibilities

• Research and advise on planning and development matters including property within the extraterritorial jurisdiction, annexations, replat applications, variances, and general platting.
• Counsel to the Planning Commission, Houston Archeological and Historic Commission, Tower Commission, and Houston Airport Board of Adjustment.
• Draft City policies, procedures, and City Code amendments.
• Assist the City Attorney on special projects and legal opinions.
• Work with litigation teams on disputes involving planning and development requirements.

Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Position Overview

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.

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: 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.

PREFERENCES

• 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.

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.

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.