Program Specialist VI (Charter Quality and Accountability Specialist) - cc351-21743-B23-1575

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

1. Renewal development: Applies charter authorizing best practices in the renewal process. Annually reviews and edits initial and renewal contract templates.
2. Renewal reviewer: Annually reviews charter schools with contract end dates; plans, organizes, reviews, and evaluates all charter renewal applications; collects and researches data; outlines strengths and deficiencies; conducts onsite renewal visits; drafts renewal contracts and possible contingencies; makes recommendations on the merits for renewal through consultation with management and other agency staff and oversees the execution of the contracts.
3. Closure management: Applies charter authorizing best practices in the non-renewal and revocation process. Participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for renewal applications and revocation procedures; reviews, evaluates, tracks, and coordinates charter closure processes, and communicates with charter school board members and staff regarding closure statuses; facilitates school closures by developing resource documents and presenting to families and staff of closing schools; coordinates the retention of student records for closed charter schools and oversees the contract and retention schedule for archived records.
4. Charter School Performance Framework (CSPF): Develops, coordinates, and produces the annual charter school performance frameworks using data from multiple internal and external sources.  Develops associated CSPF manuals and crosswalks.
5. Information sessions and presentations: Creates presentations and trainings and provides consultative services to agency staff, education service centers, charters, and the general public. Presents in formal settings, fields questions verbally, de-escalating potentially volatile situations.
6. Technical assistance and training: Analyzes data and ensures consistency with agency practices and procedures.  Reads and interprets rules and statutes including, but not limited to, Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Title IV, Part C; Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 12; and Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 100, Subchapter AA and provides interpretation on technical questions in relation to state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations.
7. Report writing: Gathers, assembles, and evaluates factual data from a variety of internal sources; prepares reports and exhibits using Microsoft Office™; prepares organized and concise written communications, correspondence, findings, reports, and contracts for various audiences using correct grammatical and sentence structure.
8. Data collection and analysis: Gather data from multiple internal sources to develop standards and guidelines for data extraction.

Education: Graduation from an accredited four year college or university. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience: Four (4) years experience in managing projects or complex processes to include writing and developing applications, instructions and guidelines, metrics for accountability reports, and contracts.  Understanding of Texas accountability system preferred.

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

License/Certification: Texas teaching or mid-management certification preferred.

Travel: 20% required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: Local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to public education, including both the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code. Legal proceedings and contracts and Texas academic and financial accountability systems is preferred.

Skill in: Completing multiple projects simultaneously under short timelines; problem-solving; decision-making; interpersonal communication; analyzing complex data; and attention to detail; strong oral and written communication skills; effectively and appropriately using technology and Microsoft Office applications (particularly Adobe, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); organizing, setting priorities, conducting research, and writing reports. Presenting and training in formal settings; using technology to create online applications and form-fillable documents; and initiating, coordinating, and completing major projects is preferred.

Ability to: Gain expert-level knowledge of the charter school program; keep apprised of national charter authorizing trends; self-teach and be self-motivated to acquire necessary knowledge and expertise to accomplish essential job functions; prioritize and strategically plan assignments; communicate effectively with various stakeholders; gather assemble, and analyze factual data; identify problems; evaluate alternatives; and implement effective solutions; prepare concise reports; develop and evaluate policies and procedures; attend to both the transactional and transformational aspects of the work; establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external constituents; collaborate effectively with peers and supervisors and work well in a group; maintain a calm demeanor in contentious situations; coordinate with work groups to accomplish required results; understand the broad issues; solve complex problems; concentrate for extended periods of time; deliver high-quality, accurate work products; complete assignments within short timelines; manage multiple tasks within established timelines; use technology effectively to accomplish job requirements, work in a fast-paced and stressful environment; maintain confidentiality; work beyond a 40-hour week as necessary to maintain efficient office operations; work according to work hour schedule assigned by supervisor; and able to lift 50 pounds.

Note: An in-box exercise may be administered at time of interview.

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.