City of Houston

ATTORNEY - LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

SALARY
Negotiable
LOCATION

TX, TX

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

19599

DEPARTMENT

Legal

OPENING DATE

05/25/2018

FLSA

Exempt

BARGAINING UNIT

N/A

SALARY
Negotiable
LOCATION

TX, TX

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

19599

DEPARTMENT

Legal

OPENING DATE

05/25/2018

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#19599 LABOR & EMPLOYMENT 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 seeks two attorneys with at least 4 to 6 years of labor and employment law experience to provide general labor, employment and human resources counsel to City departments and handle contested evidentiary matters as members of the Labor, Employment and Civil Rights Section (LECR) of the law department.
 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 
  • Handling contested administrative matters, such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Texas Commission on Human Rights proceedings and other administrative evidentiary hearings.
  • Counseling City departments on employment, labor and human resources issues.
  • Handling pre-termination meetings and civil service commission hearings regarding employee disciplinary matters, including terminations or indefinite suspensions.
  • Drafting, revising and reviewing policies and ordinances.
  • Assisting with collective bargaining contract negotiations and negotiate and draft contracts.
  • Training city employees on relevant legal issues.
  • Preparing labor and employment related lawsuits for trial and handling jury and bench trials in federal and state courts.
  • Researching and drafting motions.
  • Preparing and responding to discovery.
  • Presenting and deposing witnesses.
  • Interviewing witnesses and investigating and developing facts and evidence.
  • Evaluating the settlement value of cases.
  • Handling mediations and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
  • Drafting appellate briefs.
  • Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney Legal Opinions.
  • Willingness to work extended hours as needed to accommodate case load demands.

Duties

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

EXPERIENCE:
Four years of experience in the practice of labor and employment 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 oral advocacy skills.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Familiarity with local federal and state courts and judges.
  • Experience working with federal, state or local governmental entities.
  • Expertise with the Texas Human Rights Commission Act, the Texas Local Government Code Chapters 143 and 174, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 et seq., and 42 U.S.C. §§2000d and 2000e et seq.
  • General understanding of constitutional law.
  • Familiarity with the 29 U.S.C. §201, et seq., 42 U.S.C. §12010, et seq., and 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.
  • Proficiency with Word, Outlook, Excel and the use of technology in the practice.

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.

Benefits

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

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.

Employer
City of Houston
Employer
City of Houston
ATTORNEY - LABOR & EMPLOYMENT Supplemental Questionnaire
* QUESTION 1
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?


* QUESTION 2
Do you have a valid driver's license?


* QUESTION 3
Do you possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law?


* QUESTION 4
Which best describes your years of experience in labor and employment law?






* QUESTION 5
Please describe how your legal experience relates to this position.
* QUESTION 6
With respect to academic performance in law school please indicate your placement within your class.





* QUESTION 7
What range best represents your annual salary requirement?




* QUESTION 8
Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas?


* QUESTION 9
Have you been disciplined by a State Bar Association?


* QUESTION 10
Has your right to practice law been limited?


* Required Question