PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY

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 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.

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.