Investigator VI

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 of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview

The Office of Governance (OG) strives to proactively support school systems, keep students safe, and uphold Texas education law with integrity, objectivity, and excellence. We engage with local education agencies (LEAs) to promote best practices through two core workstreams: Field Support and Compliance & Investigations. By fostering collaboration across the agency and engaging directly in the field, we advance our vision of creating a safe school environment and excellent education for every Texas public school student.

On behalf of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Commissioner of Education, the Educator Investigations Division (EID) is dedicated to safeguarding the safety and welfare of students by investigating allegations of misconduct by educators and school employees in the State of Texas. The division plays a pivotal role in ensuring a secure learning environment for all students.

The EID is comprised of two primary units: Intake and Investigations. The Investigations Unit conducts formal investigations into reports of alleged misconduct by SBEC-certified educators and non-certified school employees. This unit ensures that due process is provided in all cases, maintaining a strong commitment to protecting students and upholding the integrity of the educational environment.

The Investigator VI position is responsible for conducting advanced-level work related to preliminary reviews and administrative investigations. This role involves overseeing assigned cases, performing investigative and administrative duties in accordance with policy, making written recommendations and presentations, and testifying in formal hearings. Investigators are expected to proactively and critically reflect on their performance and competencies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This position reports to the assigned team manager and operates under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for exercising initiative and independent judgement.

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. Additionally, applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Related Vacancy: Investigator VI

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• Investigations: conducts preliminary reviews and complex investigations based on reports and complaints involving child abuse, solicitation, educator misconduct, ethics violations, and other compliance issues or allegations under the authority of SBEC or the Commissioner of Education; collects and evaluates evidence, interviews witnesses, and coordinates with internal and external divisions to make findings in accordance with investigative plans, division protocols, priorities, and time standards; conducts investigations virtually or onsite, depending on the assignment
• Analysis and Recommendation: analyzes all information provided in the initial complaint and gathered during an investigation, identifying the significance of the facts as they relate to the allegations or provide context to the underlying questions; applies applicable agency, state, and federal policies to identify red flags, assess risk, make appropriate recommendations and determinations for case resolution; uses appropriate analytical techniques and tools, where applicable
• Documentation, Report Writing, and Presentation: adequately documents the collection of information and milestones associated with assignments, ensuring accuracy and completeness; synthesizes information and prepares organized, professional, and comprehensive reports, case briefings, and referrals that effectively communicate evidence-based findings and provide the necessary context to inform various internal and external stakeholders; uses appropriate case documentation and presentation techniques and tools to comply with division procedures and maintain professionalism
• Testimony and Litigation Support: testifies and presents evidence and analysis in cases before administrative, civil, or criminal courts to support enforcement and compliance actions; develops comprehensive and professional exhibits and provides litigation support to legal staff, as needed
• Investigative Operations: completes projects as assigned to maintain division operations; collaborates with colleagues, external agencies, and legal staff to strengthen investigative outcomes, uphold accountability, and maintain standards in Texas public education
  
  

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in conducting background checks, reviewing allegations of misconduct, and/or conducting investigations.
• Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
  
  

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.
• Possess working knowledge and the ability to explain state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to child abuse and solicitation, misconduct, fraud, waste, and abuse, criminal violations, and confidentiality, including Texas Penal Code, Texas Education Code, Texas Family Code, Texas Administrative Code.
• Experience conducting investigations and complaint reviews according to defined procedures and time standards.
• Ability to adapt to and effectively engage with diverse individuals and stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize large volumes of data, documents, and records to identify patterns, extract key insights and contextual information, and support informed decision-making in investigations.
• Exhibits superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment and testify effectively in hearings.
• Possesses extensive problem-solving skills that identify challenges, gather and analyze facts, evaluate alternatives, and implement best-fit solutions.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple competing projects or priorities simultaneously.
• Displays excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple competing projects or priorities simultaneously.
• Experience reviewing allegations of abuse, solicitation, or any violations impacting students is preferred.
• Preferred certifications are Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and certified Inspector General Investigator (CIGI).
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Willingness to participate in the agency’s culture of continuous improvement and espouse its core values.
  
  

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.