Labor & Employment Attorney

Full-time

No

City of Houston Logo
CITY OF HOUSTON
invites applications for the position of:

Labor & Employment Attorney: ACA I to SR ACA III

SALARY: $3, - $5, Biweekly
$83, - $150, Annually
OPENING DATE: 10/13/22
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Job Classifications: ACA I to SR ACA III
Department: LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Section: LABOR
Reporting Location: 900 BAGBY
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM* *Subject to Change

LEGAL 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 – 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 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 and sale of City property, overseeing City elections, handling redistricting matters, and dealing with neighborhood protection and quality of life issues.

Every member of the Legal Department is committed to “Service Through Law.”

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused attorney to join the Legal Department’s Labor, Employment and Civil Service section. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, as well as part of a team, and have knowledge regarding Federal and State labor and employment laws including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and the Texas Labor Code. They should also have experience, preferably at the municipal level, advising clients regarding labor and employment laws and policies, and defending clients in administrative hearings and litigation. In addition, the ideal candidate will have ability to work with a diverse workforce, and possess good interpersonal skills, creativity, and good written and oral communication skills

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Counseling client departments regarding labor, employment, and civil service matters.
Handling contested administrative evidentiary proceedings.
Providing guidance on, drafting, and reviewing City and Departmental policies.
Representing the City in federal and state administrative charges or agency matters (., EEOC, DOL, TWC and comparable agencies).
Handling all aspects of litigation and appeals in state and federal courts.
Drafting court papers, motions, and briefs.
Managing e-discovery issues.
Appearing in court.
Managing case budgets.
Conducting legal research.
Drafting, reviewing, or revising city ordinances.
Handling or assisting with collective bargaining.
Developing and delivering training and education on a variety of employment and labor law topics.
Completing special projects assigned by management.
Managing outside counsel.

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.



EXPERIENCE:

No experience is required but 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 on or about the first day of employment. If selected for this position, official proof of a . degree and membership in the Texas State Bar is required and a condition of employment.

PREFERENCES:
Preference will be given to applicants with:

Minimum three (3) years of litigation and/or counseling experience in labor and employment law.
Experience representing management in employment matters preferred, but not required.
Familiarity with Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
Familiarity with the Texas Labor Code, Texas Commission of Human Rights Act.
Familiarity with Texas Local Government Code Chapters 143 and 174.
General understanding of constitutional law.
General understanding of federal, state, and local rules relating to litigation and appeals.
Excellent oral advocacy skills.
Excellent writing skills.
Excellent analytical skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Experience working with federal, state, or local governmental entities.
Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate case load demands.
Proficiency with the Office 365 suite of programs, including Word, Outlook, Excel, Westlaw Edge, and the use of technology in the practice of law.
Above average academic and professional achievement.

**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**
GENERAL INFORMATION:
SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED None
However, the Department may administer a skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if candidate is promoted into this position, he/she must pass an assigned 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 Range: 24 to 35
Salary Range: $83,945 up to $150,381 - Salary will be determined depending on qualifications.

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: .

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call .

If you need special services or accommodations, call .
If you need login assistance or technical support call .

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.

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer
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.


APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:


ONLINE SUBMISSIONS REQUIRED
Houston, TX 77002




Position #29717
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY: ACA I TO SR ACA III
FI

Labor & Employment Attorney: ACA I to SR ACA III Supplemental Questionnaire

* 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?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* 2. Do you possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* 3. Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas or pending membership?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* 4. How many years of experience do you have practicing law?
Checkbox I have no experience.
Checkbox I have less than 4 years of experience.
Checkbox I have 4 years but less than 8 years of experience.
Checkbox I have 8 years but less than 13 years of experience.
Checkbox I have 13 years but less than 18 years of experience.
Checkbox I have 18 or more years of experience.
* 5. How many years of experience do you have practicing labor and/or employment law?
Checkbox I have no experience.
Checkbox I have less than 3 years' experience.
Checkbox I have more than 3 years but less than 6 years' experience.
Checkbox I have more than 6 years but less than 13 years' experience.
Checkbox I have 13 or more years of experience.
* 6. Please describe how your legal experience relates to this position. If none, please enter N/A. "See resume" is not acceptable and will delay your application.


* 7. Which of the following experience do you possess? (Check all that apply)
Checkbox Counseling client departments regarding employment, labor, and civil service laws.
Checkbox Experience conducting research on high complex legal issues.
Checkbox Drafting court papers, motions, and briefs.
Checkbox Court appearances.
Checkbox None of the above.
* 8. Have you ever been disciplined by a state bar association?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* 9. Has your right to practice law ever been limited?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* 10. How many civil cases in federal district court have you tried?
Checkbox I have tried 0 civil cases in federal district court.
Checkbox I have tried less than 10 civil cases in federal district court.
Checkbox I have tried 10 - 19 civil cases in federal district court.
Checkbox I have tried 20 or more civil cases in federal district court.
* 11. How many civil cases in state district court have you tried?
Checkbox I have tried 0 civil cases in state district court.
Checkbox I have tried less than 10 civil cases in state district court.
Checkbox I have tried 10-19 civil cases in state district court.
Checkbox I have tried 20 or more civil cases in state district court.
* 12. How many entities or individuals have you represented in a contested administrative hearing?
Checkbox I have represented 0 entities or individuals in a contested administrative hearing.
Checkbox I have represented less than 10 entities or individuals in a contested administrative hearing.
Checkbox I have represented 10-19 entities or individuals in a contested administrative hearing.
Checkbox I have represented 20 or more entities or individuals in a contested administrative hearing.
* 13. Please elaborate on the entities or individuals that you have represented in a contested administrative hearing. If none, please enter N/A. "See resume" is not acceptable and will delay your application.


* 14. Are you admitted to the . District Court for the Southern District of Texas?
Checkbox Yes
Checkbox No
* Required Question

Legal