Director of Policy, Special Projects (Director IV)

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.

Core Values

• 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 Special Projects Division leads the development and coordination of targeted systemic supports and actions that provide state and school system leaders strategic resources, guidance, and best practices to improve student outcomes. The Special Projects division is a team comprised of individuals with a background in state government and agency operations; collectively the division manages a wide range of assignments that vary in scope and length and provide support across multiple agency departments on highly complex projects that may include communication with external stakeholders and organizations.

Reporting to the Director of Special Projects, the Director of Policy provides senior-level guidance on a broad range of education topics relevant and critical to the agency. These initiatives and actions aim to improve the overall system performance of local education agencies in Texas. A crucial component of the Director of Policy role will be cross-agency collaboration with agency executive leadership and communication with TEA stakeholders.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume 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.

• Administrative Support: Provide executive-level administrative support, including calendar management and scheduling, meeting logistics, follow-up and process improvements; develop and manage complex project plans, track key deliverables ensuring clear expectations and timely completion of tasks; support the SBOE in close partnership with the Divisions of Governmental Relations and SBOE Support; attend SBOE general meetings, committee meetings and other related events.
• Policy and Procedural Guidance: Provide policy and procedural guidance on education related matters to agency leadership and the SBOE; work closely with TEA offices and staff responsible for SBOE-related meetings and projects to ensure knowledge and understanding of related activity; establish extensive knowledge of internal and external functions of the SBOE and its statutory and regulatory role as defined by the Texas Legislature and Administrative rule; assist in the preparation and refinement of materials for meetings and public presentations; provide input on proposed rules and procedures, and support policy design and drafting.
• Research and Analysis: Analyze and synthesize reports and data as directed by the Director of Special Projects; compiles SBOE and related post-meeting reports and identify action items with clear timelines for implementation, in close collaboration with Governmental Relations and SBOE support; draft reports and summarize actions to be reviewed and considered for further action, as necessary; issue preliminary recommendations and advice on subjects as directed; develop presentations and/or specific documents to highlight findings and outline next steps; present executive level information on key findings and actionable steps to SBOE and agency leadership as appropriate.
• Communication: Monitor all forms of media for news related to high priority subject areas and key project areas, including SBOE topics of interest; regularly review agency memos and online resources to determine alignment and accuracy with SBOE activities and responsibilities; develop internal agency relationships with other departments that work directly with SBOE members and stakeholders; assist with outreach efforts and meetings to ensure the SBOE has visibility into constituent questions and concerns; gather and synthesize feedback for review by the SBOE; manage and track incoming and outgoing SBOE correspondence; develop regular cadence for correspondence response protocols
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of experience in legislative and administrative supervisory roles at the state or similar governmental entity level
  
  

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Advanced degree is preferred in the field of Government, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or related field
• Outstanding skill in leadership and effective project management and an ability to plan, monitor, supervise initiatives or projects of others
• Experience reviewing, analyzing, summarizing, and assembling complex documents such as reports and creating executive summaries of these reports
• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines
• Effective and professional verbal and written communication skills including ability to create appropriate talking points, speeches, and effective presentations
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, internal and external to the SBOE
• Familiarity with the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code
  
  

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.