ATTORNEY - MUNICIPAL PROSECUTING



Job Details

ATTORNEY - MUNICIPAL PROSECUTING
Employer

City of Houston

Salary

Negotiable

Location

TX, TX

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

19543

Department

Legal

Opening Date

05/16/2018

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

N/A

  • Provides general information to customers for various city services (such as water, sewer, potholes, ditches, culverts, traffic signals and signs, dangerous buildings, weeded lots) or transfers calls to appropriate City personnel.
  • Researches, analyzes and resolves customers' problems and inquiries.
  • Assists in locating personnel in the City of Houston to respond to citizens' requests for city services.
  • Receives telephone calls using the automatic call distribution system and computer-based work management system to provide customers information on services requested.
  • May receive calls for non-dispatch police services.

Description

PN#19543 MUNICIPAL PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

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.
 
Comprised of over 100 of Houston's finest attorneys across ten sections, the Legal Department has the pivotal role of providing litigation support, negotiating and drafting contracts, handling taxation matters, advising on personnel actions, dealing with the acquisition of sale of City property, overseeing City elections, drafting ordinances, advising on ethics and conflicts of interest, and dealing with neighborhood protection and quality of life issues. Every employee is committed to the Department's motto – "Service Through Law."

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The City of Houston Legal Department is seeking an energetic, motivated and focused attorney to prosecute in the City of Houston Municipal Courts. Experience in criminal or municipal law is appreciated, but not required.
 
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Representing the State of Texas and City of Houston in Municipal Court prosecutions of Class C misdemeanor cases arising under City Ordinances and other laws of the State of Texas before both judges and juries
  • Performing citizen intake and direct-filing of cases
  • Researching and analyzing ordinances, statutes, case law, administrative opinions, rules of procedure and evidence and drafting legal memoranda thereon
  • Interacting extensively with the public, other members of the Bar, 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 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

Duties

EDUCATIONAL: 
Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.

EXPERIENCE:
Four years experience in the practice of criminal law.

LICENSE: 
Must be a member of the Texas State Bar. Must have a valid Driver's License and be in compliance with the City of Houston policy on driving (AP 2-2).

Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with:

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Above average academic achievement preferred
  • Familiarity with Texas criminal statutes
  • Familiarity with municipal or public law
  • Proficiency with Word, Outlook, Excel and the use of technology in the practice of law
  • Must be willing to work flexible schedules including days, nights and some weekends

**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.**

Information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED:      Yes
All applicants will be expected to provide a writing sample, transcripts and letter(s) of recommendation.
 
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION:       Yes    
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 similar positions.
 
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: http://www.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 please call 832.393.6090.

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 provided. If you need special services or accommodations, call TTY 7-1-1.

Equal Employment Opportunity
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 LANGUAGE USED IN THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE AND THE AGENCY. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OR ENTITLEMENTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

Editing the benefit from Insight on Nov 11
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
• 10 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 have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Which best describes your years of 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 5 years' of experience in criminal law.
  • I have more than 5 but less than 7 years' experience in criminal law.
  • I have 7 years' or more experience in criminal law.
05
Please describe how your legal experience relates to this position.
06
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 - 5 activities
  • 6 - 10 activities
  • 11 - 15 activities
  • Over 15 activities
07
Which best describes the number of times that you have argued before or presented to the court?
  • 1 - 5 times
  • 6 - 10 times
  • 11 - 15 times
  • Over 15 times
  • I have never argued before or presented to the court.
08
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
09
What range best represents your annual salary requirement?
  • $50,000 - $60,000
  • $61,000 - $70,000
  • $71,000 - $80,000
  • $81,000 or above
10
Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas?
  • Yes
  • No
11
Have you been disciplined by a State Bar Association?
  • Yes
  • No
12
Has your right to practice law been limited?
  • Yes
  • No

* Required Question

Employer
City of Houston

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