PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY
Salary
$98,162.74 - $102,000.08 Annually
Location
900 Bagby-City Hall Annex
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
37258
Department
Legal
Opening Date
09/25/2025
Closing Date
10/2/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Questions
POSITION OVERVIEW
Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
Job Classification: ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY II
Section: REAL ESTATE
Location: 900 BAGBY, HOUSTON, TX
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSubject 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.
Every member of the OCA must be committed to "Service Through Law."
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The City of Houston seeks a solutions-focused planning and development attorney to handle matters related to Houston planning and development rules and needs especially in the absence of zoning.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Researching and advising City departments on planning and development matters including items regarding property located in the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction, annexations, replat applications, property variances, special minimum lot size designations, and general platting and planning matters.
Acting as counsel to the Planning Commission, Houston Archeological and Historic Commission, Tower Commission, and Houston Airport Board of Adjustment. at various commission and board meetings including Historical Commission and Planning Commission.
Drafting and training clients on relevant City policies, procedures, and City Code amendments.
Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney legal opinions.
Working with litigation teams on disputes involving transactions relating to City of Houston planning and development policies and requirements.
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. Requires basic computer skills and working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
LICENSE:
Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of four 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.
PREFERENCES
Preference will be given to applicants with:
A minimum of 2 years of experience in a planning and development practice preferably in a governmental entity in Texas
Exceptional drafting skills
Excellent analytical and organizational skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Above-average academic performance
Willingness to take the initiative to identify and solve business and legal issues
Experience working with federal, state, and local agencies
Member of at least one professional planning and development organization
Proficiency with Office 365 and the use of technology in the practice of law
Willingness to work extended hours as needed to accommodate work demands
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 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 the appropriate classification.
Pay Grade: 27
Salary Range: 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: www.houstontx.gov.
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfmor call (832) 393-6214.
All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.
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.
If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-6214.
If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.
EOE - 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 city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Wellness
Supplemental Insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability
Retirement pension
457 deferred compensation plan
Employee Assistance Program
10 days of vacation each year
11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
Compensable Sick Leave
Personal Leave
Flexible schedules
Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
Professional development opportunities
Transportation/parking plan
Section 125 pretax deductions
Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
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 possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law?
Yes
No
03
Which best describes your years of legal experience?
I have no experience.
I have less than 4 years of experience.
I have 4 but less than 6 years of experience.
I have 6 years or more experience.
04
Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas?
Yes
No
05
Have you ever been disciplined by a State Bar Association?
Yes
No
06
Has your right to practice law ever been limited?
Yes
No
07
Which best describes your years of experience in planning and development law?
I have less than 2 years of experience in planning and development law.
I have more than 2 but less than 4 years of experience in planning and development law.
I have more than 4 years of experience in planning and development law.
08
Are you a member of a planning and development organization?
Yes
No
09
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.
Required Question
