What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant County Attorney - Employment Division position at Harris County?
Position Description
The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is hiring an attorney to join our Employment Division which provides full service in-house advice and counsel to County departments and elected offices related to all aspects of employment by the County, and often in partnership with human resources professionals. In addition, the Employment Division responds to litigation and represents the County and elected offices in agency investigations of employment matters, administrative hearings, as well as employment proceedings in state and federal court. The attorney in this role will have the opportunity to refine their employment litigation skills from case inception through discovery and motion practice, trial, and appeal.
In addition, attorneys have the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. The Employment Division currently operates on a flexible hybrid remote schedule and the selected candidate may likewise be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program.
Duties and Responsibilities:
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Supporting Job Application Documents:
Applicants should provide a cover letter, resume with three (3) professional references, and at least one (1) writing sample with their application.
Education and Experience Requirements:
Preferences
Located in downtown Houston, the Harris County Attorney’s Office represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees.
Position Type, Typical Work Schedule, and Work Environment:
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is hiring an attorney to join our Employment Division which provides full service in-house advice and counsel to County departments and elected offices related to all aspects of employment by the County, and often in partnership with human resources professionals. In addition, the Employment Division responds to litigation and represents the County and elected offices in agency investigations of employment matters, administrative hearings, as well as employment proceedings in state and federal court. The attorney in this role will have the opportunity to refine their employment litigation skills from case inception through discovery and motion practice, trial, and appeal.
In addition, attorneys have the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. The Employment Division currently operates on a flexible hybrid remote schedule and the selected candidate may likewise be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- First and second chair labor and employment litigation assignments.
- Represents parties in labor and employment litigation cases from intake through final judgment including trials and/or appeals as needed.
- Advises clients.
- Manages all aspects of assigned litigation such as drafting answers, issuing and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, motions practice to include dispositive motions, and other necessary court documents.
- Remains current on applicable caselaw and ethical obligations.
- Conducts research assignments.
- Presents or defends witnesses and evidence at administrative hearings, depositions, court hearings, mediation, and trial.
- Develops exhibits and witnesses for use in dispositive motions.
- Develops and maintains relationships with clients (including elected officials, individual employees and agency representatives), courts and court staff, the public and other work groups related to assigned cases.
- Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
- Makes use of technology and other legal tools.
- Responds promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
- Participates in one-on-one sessions with the supervisor and/or manager to give and receive feedback.
- Participates in Division staff meetings.
- Encourages and mentors attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.
- Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Supporting Job Application Documents:
Applicants should provide a cover letter, resume with three (3) professional references, and at least one (1) writing sample with their application.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.
- Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court.
- Excellent research, writing, and courtroom skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work in a collaborative group.
- Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Westlaw, and Adobe.
- Familiarity with applicable federal and state employment laws.
- Motion practice experience.
- Experience conducting discovery.
- Knowledge of the rules of civil procedure and evidence.
- Analytical skills to include ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses.
- Ability to exercise good judgment.
- Occasional ability to work extended hours to accommodate case load demands.
- Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
- Ability to comply with office policies and training requirements.
Preferences
- Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated employment law experience.
Located in downtown Houston, the Harris County Attorney’s Office represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees.
Position Type, Typical Work Schedule, and Work Environment:
- This is a full-time position.
- Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional weekends and holidays as necessary.
- This job typically operates in a professional office environment, and the individual in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.
- This is largely a sedentary role that requires standing or sitting for prolonged periods, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body, repetitive motions requiring dexterity such as keyboarding that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, communicating with others to exchange concepts and information, problem-solving, decision-making, organization, the ability to read/write, and the ability to manage workplace stressors such as adversarial interactions.
- The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidate’s qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function. Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs, health benefits, and retirement plans.
- In addition, the position is eligible for the accrual of compensatory time off for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, consistent with Harris County personnel policies and procedures.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
