What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Charter School Authorizing (Director III) position at TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY?
MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
- We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
- We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
- We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
- We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.
New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.
Position Overview: The mission of the Division of Charter School Authorizing is to provide students and families with access to high-quality, best-fit schools that help unlock the full potential of every student. The Division does this through the authorization and oversight of innovative, high-quality charter schools as well as supporting Texas school districts to pursue best practice authorizing.
This position reports to the Deputy Associate Commissioner of Authorizing and Policy and is responsible for overseeing and supporting the largest charter school portfolio in the nation, as well as supporting the development of school district authorizers and their associated district-authorized charter schools. The work entails building and managing a detailed and support-oriented multi-level team of 10 members that oversees the new school application process, the Texas Charter School Incubator, portfolio management through charter school expansions and renewals, and resources and support programs including TEA’s Charter Schools Program grant for state- and district-authorized charter schools.
Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.
Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.
Essential Functions
Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.
1. New School Development: Cultivate a pipeline of strong charter school applicant teams and oversee and continuously improve a rigorous process for evaluating new applicant teams, ensuring only the most capable and inspiring applicant teams are awarded new charters.
2. Sector Support: Support the effective start-up and growth of state-authorized and district-authorized charter schools through administration of the federal Charter School Program grant and related technical assistance activities including the Texas charter school incubator. Oversee the Charter School Improvement and Technical Assistance Grant and the Closed Charter Schools Grant.
3. Portfolio Management: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a data-driven charter school portfolio management function aimed at improving the quality and programmatic diversity in the charter school sector through expansion, renewal, and performance management systems.
4. District Authorizing Support: Develop processes, tools, and support systems for Texas school districts in implementing best practices to authorize district-charter schools and oversee the review and monitoring of Texas Partnership (Senate Bill 1882) benefits to district-authorized charter schools.
5. Team Management and Supervision: Build and manage a high quality, detailed oriented team that embraces innovation, authorizing best practices, and continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
- Experience: At least seven (7) years of experience in public education, including: at least two (2) years of managing multiple direct reports, and at least two (2) years of experience leading a charter school authorizing agency, division, department, or team
- Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience
- Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
- Strong preference for candidates with an advanced degree in education, public policy, public administration, or similar degree
- Strong preference for candidates with at least two (2) years of experience working inside or alongside state education agencies
- Expert knowledge of national best practices in charter school authorizing and charter school growth and support
- Deep familiarity with knowledge of Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code as it relates to Subchapters C, D, E & G charter schools
- Experience building the capacity of school district leaders to design and implement best practices
- Experience designing and managing Federal grant programs, especially those related to creation of new schools or charter schools
- Knowledge of the TEA rule-making processes and in developing, adopting, and implementing rules related to charter schools and charter school authorizing
- Experience analyzing legislation especially in Texas
- Ability to develop organizational strategy, set goals, and monitor progress toward goals
- Excellent project management skills, including project planning and ability to consistently hit deadlines
- Excellent PowerPoint and memo development and delivery skills
- Skill in developing and managing critical relationships with various stakeholders
- A desire to self-reflect and give/receive feedback and continuously improve
- Experience providing clear and actionable feedback and coaching to direct reports
- Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.
To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.
This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.
No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.
