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SalaryPosition Description
The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is hiring a transactional Real Estate attorney to join our Real Estate Division which represents the nation's third-largest county in legal matters regarding the County’s acquisitions and sales of real property. The attorney in this role is responsible for providing legal counsel, researching, negotiating, and drafting legal documents for the purchase, sale, lease, and operation of Real Estate interests, including deeds, easements, title examinations, contracts, leases, and concession agreements for parks and county buildings, roads, and other public purposes.
In addition to the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek, the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program, which currently allows employees to work from home a few days per week.
In addition to the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek, the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program, which currently allows employees to work from home a few days per week.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide legal counsel for Harris County Real Estate transactions including, fee and easement interests, leasehold interests, acquisitions, divestitures, and donations.
- Research and analyze legal issues related to Harris County Real Estate transactions.
- Draft, prepare, review, negotiate, and manage Real Estate transactions and instruments for Harris County real property interests.
- Draft, research, and prepare administrative applications and orders for Commissioner’s Court review and approval for Real Estate transactions.
- Advise various County departments and officials regarding Real Estate legal issues that impact day-to-day business dealings, including the department's rights, responsibilities, and benefits under an agreement.
- Negotiate legal terms and draft contracts, amendments, addendums, and court orders.
- Act as Liaison regarding legal issues affecting client departments and other departments and/or governmental entities.
- Develop and manage relationships with clients, the public, and other work groups related to assigned cases.
- Maintain case files electronically in Case Management Systems.
- Respond promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
- Participate in one-on-one sessions with the Managing Attorney of the Division to give and receive feedback.
- Encourage and mentor attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
- Participate in Division staff meetings.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Other Duties:
- 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.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
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.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience practicing law.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of federal and state rules of civil procedure, the Local Government Code, and the Texas Property Code.
- Excellent research, verbal, and writing 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.
- Ability to gather, organize, and summarize legal issues quickly for clients or management, in person or via email.
- Ability to comply with the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures and the policies of the County Attorney.
- Ability to perform multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with groups and individuals across the organization.
- Occasional ability to work extended hours to accommodate caseload demands.
- Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
- Ability to comply with office training requirements.
- Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and exercise good judgment.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
- Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated transactional Real Estate experience.
General Information
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.
- Hours may vary based on the business needs of the HCAO.
- The selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program.
- 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.
Physical and Mental Demands:
- 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.
Compensation:
- 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.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular(full-time) positions:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Wellness
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
- 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
- Retirement pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/Medical.aspx
