Senior Assistant City Attorney

City of Houston, Texas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston, Texas, Office of the City Attorney seeks a solutions-focused attorney to handle Houston Airport System matters, including drafting, negotiating, and managing airport contracts and real property transactions.

A JD from an ABA-accredited school, active Texas Bar, and 13–18 years of experience are required; familiarity with FARs and FAA issues is preferred; candidate may work with outside counsel and internal teams to advance complex airport projects.

Qualifications

• Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA-accredited college of law.
• Active Texas State Bar in good standing; eligible for admission to Federal court.
• Minimum 13 years (Senior II) or 18 years (Senior III) of legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating, and managing airport contracts including concession and professional services agreements, and real property matters including hangar leases and development agreements.
• Counseling client on airport rules and statutes including the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
• Drafting, revising, and counseling on City policies and City Code provisions related to airports and real property.
• Working with the FAA and various air carriers to negotiate and draft airport real property agreements.
• Reviewing and commenting on proposed federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Managing outside counsel as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Contracts

Drafting

Negotiation

Teamwork

FAA knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
Section: Real Estate
Location: 900 Bagby
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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

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

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• 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.

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:

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.

PREFERENCES

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

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 this classification.

Pay Grade: 33 & 35

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.