Assistant County Attorney Environmental Division Hybrid
Job Location:
Houston, TX - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- Position Description
General Summary:
The Harris County Attorneys Office (HCAO) is seeking an Attorney to join our Environmental Division. This position will specialize in state court enforcement of environmental laws and related county regulations primarily focused on fire code and floodplain enforcement. Under the supervision of the Division Director and Deputy Division Director the attorney will be responsible for managing an active caseload focused on representing the Countys interests in state court enforcement matters. The attorney in this role is responsible for assisting with case development legal research development of legal theories drafting pleadings and briefs and handling litigation.
The attorney will have the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. The Environmental 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:
- Conducts legal and technical research and reviews case law to issues as they develop in cases.
- Utilizes databases such as EJScreen to assist in developing cases.
- Investigates facts and obtains evidence in cases.
- Work closely with technical experts to develop cases.
- Drafts legal documents including petitions discovery motions and briefs.
- Be prepared for court hearings and trial.
- Develops and manages relationships with clients courts the public and other work groups related to assigned cases.
- Monitors cases to ensure that all deadlines are timely met.
- Reviews and responds to motions filed by opposing counsel.
- Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
- Ensures proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw Microsoft Word Adobe and PowerPoint.
- Maintaining case files electronically in OpenText.
- Responding promptly to phone calls emails and other correspondence.
- Participates in one-on-one sessions with the Division Director/Deputy Director to give and receive feedback. Participates in Division staff meetings.
- Collaborate with colleagues on the development of new and pending matters.
- Encourages and mentors attorneys paralegals interns and law clerks.
- Performs other 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
you need special services or accommodations please call or email .
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 acover letter resume three (3) professional references unofficial law school transcript and at least one (1) writing sample with their application.
Education and Licensure:
A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association-accredited college of law.
Active Bar License in Good Standing for the State of Texas.
- Excellent research writing and analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work in a collaborative group.
- Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw Microsoft Word Adobe and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of the Texas and Federal environmental statutes and regulations the Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Ability to comply with the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures and the policies of the County Attorney.
- Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and 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 training requirements.
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 butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resumewill not be accepted for qualifications.
- General Information
About the Harris County Attorneys Office (HCAO):
Located in downtown Houston HCAO serves as the chief civil law office for Harris County Texass largest county. The office represents Harris County government the Harris County Flood Control District the Harris County Toll Road Authority and multiple emergency network agencies in civil legal matters. The office also provides legal advice and counsel to County elected officials appointed officials departments and employees.With more than 300 attorneys and staff the office handles a broad range of public law including general counsel services defensive litigation affirmative and special litigation employment environmental enforcement real estate property tax compliance and revenue child protective services disability and elder law hospital district representation communications and outreach and the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library.The County Attorneys Office plays a vital role in protecting the legal interests of Harris County advising public officials supporting effective county operations and serving the residents of Harris County through high-quality ethical and professional legal work.
About County Attorney Abbie Kamin:
Harris County Commissioners Court appointed Abbie Kamin to serve as County Attorney. She took office on June 15 2026. Kamin is a native Houstonian attorney and public servant who has represented District C on Houston City Council since 2020. Prior to her service on City Council she practiced law with a focus on general civil litigation and civil rights litigation including work involving voting rights and Title IX matters. She also served as Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation Leagues Southwest Region and previously worked in Texas Legislature. She earned her J.D. cum laude from American University Washington College of Law and her B.A. cum laude from Tulane University. County Attorney Kamin leads the office with a focus on effective legal representation sound public administration professionalism and service to Harris County residents.Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
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.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
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.
Compensation:
The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidates qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function.
Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs health benefits and retirement 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.
Required Experience:
Junior IC
