Senior Assistant City Attorney

City-of-Houston,-T; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused attorney to handle a range of Houston Airport System legal matters, including drafting and negotiating airport contracts, real property matters, and compliance with FAA regulations. You will counsel on City policies and collaborate with FAA and air carriers on complex agreements.

Applicants must have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, active Texas Bar membership, and be eligible for Federal court admission.

Qualifications

• Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association-accredited college of law.
• Must be a 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.
• Preference will be given to applicants with FAA experience or familiarity with FARs.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating, and managing airport contracts including concession and professional services agreements, and real property matters including hangar leases and development agreements, access easements, utility placement agreements, right-of-way location and determination, and airport buffer retention.
• Counseling client on airport rules and statutes including the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
• Drafting, revising, and counseling clients on City policies, procedures, and City Code provisions related to airports and real property.
• Working with the FAA and various public and private air carriers to negotiate and draft agreements involving airport real property.
• Reviewing and commenting on proposed federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Performing title review and drafting documents related to the ownership and operation of airport real property.
• Working with administrative and litigation teams on disputes involving transactions relating to Houston’s airports.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Drafting agreements

Legal research

Communications skills

Project management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused attorney to handle a range of Houston Airport System legal matters.

Responsibilities:

• Drafting, negotiating, and managing airport contracts including concession and professional services agreements, and real property matters including hangar leases and development agreements, access easements, utility placement agreements, right-of-way location and determination, and airport buffer retention.
• Counseling client on airport rules and statutes including the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
• Drafting, revising, and counseling clients on City policies, procedures, and City Code provisions related to airports and real property.
• Working with the FAA and various public and private air carriers to negotiate and draft agreements involving airport real property.
• Reviewing and commenting on proposed federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Performing title review and drafting documents related to the ownership and operation of airport real property.
• Working with administrative and litigation teams on disputes involving transactions relating to Houston’s airports.
• Working on special projects assigned by management including research projects involving various matters including but not limited to: laws applicable to the traveling public, airport operators and stakeholders pertinent to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VI, labor and employment, public health, grant assurances, non discrimination charges, Part 13, and Part 16.
• Managing outside counsel as assigned.

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

For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: Minimum of 13 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.

For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: Minimum of 18 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 and License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition 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:

• Experience working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other airport entities.
• Knowledge of and experience applying the FARs.
• Handling administrative hearings
• Familiarity with the Texas Property Code.
• Exceptional contract negotiation and drafting skills.
• Experience with drafting easements and licenses.
• Experience reviewing title and determining interest in real property.
• Experience with commercial and/or leases with federal entities.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Willing to take the initiative to identify and solve legal issues outside the realm of real estate or contracts.
• Experience working with federal, state and local agencies, especially on projects and agreements that involve airport real property.
• Experience negotiating sophisticated federal transactions.
• Experience negotiating contracts including real property development agreements.
• Proficiency with the Office 365 suite of programs, including Word, Outlook, Excel and the use of technology in the practice of law.
• Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate workload demands.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Above average academic and professional achievement.

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 are preferred

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

None

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 this classification.

Pay Grade: 33 & 35

LOCATION AND WORK HOURS

Location: 900 Bagby

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

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.