Director IV (Director of Special Education Review and Support) -cc217-25607-B29-1623

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

This senior executive position will lead the new, high profile Special Education Review and Support team. The Texas Education Agency is currently undergoing  a complete redesign in the way that it supports and monitors special education activities in the state. Directly reporting to, and working closely with, the Deputy Commissioner, this position will help to set the vision and execute the Texas Education  Strategic Plan related to the Review and Support Team. This includes overseeing the design of how the escalation process will work, the rules and policies associated with the team,  the way in which support will be provided or consequences will be discussed, and the way in which the team will manage to outcomes for students.  This role will require strong management, vision, programmatic and operational expertise, exceptional communication, and an orientation towards stakeholder engagement and excellence.

Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Additional Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) information can be accessed at: http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

Essential Job Functions:

Develop and implement a new statewide monitoring system, called the Review and Support Team. The Review and Support Team will require a strong, well-structured process to provide intensive supports and technical assistance to LEAs. This will require systems-thinking, the ability to recruit and retain exceptional talent, and a strong understanding of process towards outcomes.

Develop a process that includes desk audits, regular data reviews, and the ability to implement rapidly at scale.  This process should be reflective of the communities, but should also be consistently executed.

Solicit and use stakeholder feedback to drive towards stronger processes, reflective of the needs of students.

Effectively pair technical assistance and support with compliance monitoring.

Oversee the development of statewide implementation of a holistic monitoring program, inclusive of all relevant stakeholders.

Oversee the development of a set of resources and documents that can be tailored to the independent needs of each LEA.

Transparently report on the progress of the Department and manage the exceptional execution of work under the new SPED Strategic Plan.

Coordinate the division management, planning, and administrative functions.

Establish goals and objectives; develop and approve schedules, priorities, and business standards for achieving goals related to the accountability and monitoring systems.

Represent the Office of Academics at meetings, conferences, hearings, legislative sessions, and advisory committees; conduct training and presentations related to departmental work.

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.  Major course work in education, public policy, or a related field preferred.  Advanced degree preferred.

Experience: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in project management or equivalent experience managing or supervising professional or technical programming staff in planning, developing, and implementing projects.  Policy development experience in a school district, regional education service center, college or university, or private sector, state, or federal level education-related organization preferred. 

Substitution:  Each advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:  Education, schools, special populations and/or special education preferred.

Skill in: Observation, feedback, and coaching by giving consistent, evidence-based feedback to build a strong team.

Ability to: Prioritize time and resources and to effectively manage a team to execute on those priorities; reliably deliver high quality work products on time; focus on continuous improvement for self and team; High attention to detail and insistence on excellence for every deliverable and interaction; be a relationship builder and strong collaborator; build a culture of excellence;
define clear objectives, develop a plan for achieving them, and demonstrate strong leadership;  attract new talent to the Agency and to develop existing staff; anticipate and overcome foreseen and unforeseen challenges; break down complex, ambiguous challenges into manageable, coherent problems; quickly assimilate complex information from a variety of sources and see connections between different types of evidence to identify core issues and best solutions; communicate clearly, backed by compelling evidence.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Salary is dependent on qualifications.

Positions exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will earn compensatory time off rather than overtime for hours in excess of 40 per week. May be required to work hours other than 8 to 5. May be required to work weekends and holidays.

In accordance with applicable federal and state equal opportunity laws, it is TEA's policy that no person shall be excluded from consideration for recruitment, selection, appointment, training, promotion, retention or any other personnel action, or be denied any benefits or participation in any educational programs or activities which it operates on the grounds of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status (except where age, sex, or disability constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to proper and efficient administration).

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires all new employees to present proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. TEA does not sponsor H1-B work visas. Males, 18 to 25 years of age, are required to present proof of selective service registration (or exemption) prior to being employed by any state agency.

There is a 60-day waiting period for health insurance coverage.

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.

Please note, TEA does not accept resumes.

An internal applicant who is selected for a position in their current salary group that has the same state title is not eligible for a salary increase.  An internal applicant who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase up to 3.4%.

The Texas Education Agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.