Director of Special Projects (Director I)

Austin, TX, United States

Job Description - Director of Special Projects (Director I) (00042911)

Job Description

Director of Special Projects (Director I)

(

00042911

)

Organization

:

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location

Primary Location

:

Texas-Austin

Work Locations

:

Texas Education Agency

1701 NORTH CONGRESS AVENUE

Austin

78701

Job

Job

:

Management

Employee Status

Employee Status

:

Regular

Schedule

Travel

Travel

:

Yes, 25 % of the Time

State Job Code

:

1620

Salary Admin Plan

:

B

Grade

:

26

Salary (Pay Basis)

Salary (Pay Basis)

:

6,073.83

-

8,173.08

(

Monthly

)

Number of Openings

Number of Openings

:

1

Overtime Status

Overtime Status

:

Exempt

Job Posting

Closing Date

Closing Date

:

Ongoing

Description

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.

This position is funded through August 31, 2025, with federal stimulus funds. Continuation of the position beyond that date is contingent upon available funding. This federally funded position will provide critical support for the agency to urgently address student learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Position Overview:

The Department of Authorizing and Policy cultivates innovative, high-quality learning opportunities. The department oversees the agency’s work on charter schools, virtual/hybrid schools, local accountability systems, and other aligned initiatives. The Director of Special Projects plays a critical leadership role in the department. The Director is an integral member of our team responsible for coordination among teams at the Texas Education Agency and senior-level external stakeholders. The Director of Special Projects will lead the Special Projects team and oversee all work related to virtual education, optional flexible school day program, parent empowerment, and other legislative priorities.

The Director of Special Projects role includes managing the authorization process for virtual/hybrid education courses, programs, and campuses, the Virtual Hybrid Accelerator program, and the development and implementation of a Digital Teaching micro-credential. It also includes overseeing the annual application process and all communications regarding optional flexible school day programs including those designed as dropout recovery programs and the implementation of SB 1647. The role also includes reviewing existing agency resources and materials to assist parents in identifying high quality schools for their children along with designing and creating new materials.

This role reports to the Deputy Associate Commissioner and supervises two positions.

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. Virtual Education:

Oversee a rigorous yet supportive authorization process to ensure that high-quality applicants gain approval to launch virtual education programs in Texas.

2. Optional Flexible School Day Program:

Oversee a rigorous yet supportive optional flexible school day application process to ensure that schools can provide flexibility to students in Texas.

3. Resource Creation:

Designs and develops multi-use collateral and resources that support parents in identifying high quality schools for their children.

4. Collaborate and coordinate with related teams:

Work with internal teams at TEA including the School Programs, Legal Services, School Finance, Special Populations, Government Relations, and Instructional Materials.

5. Team Management and Supervision:

Build and manage a high-quality detail-oriented team that embraces innovation, best practices, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

• Experience:

At least five (5) years of experience in the education sector. Experience working with project management is strongly preferred. One (1) year of experience managing or coaching a teammate required.

• Substitutions:

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

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

• Knowledge of Texas school law and policy (preferred)

• Excellent professional written and communication skills with experience creating and proofing professional written work (preferred)

• Experience managing budgets

• Highly skilled in the use of standard office equipment and applications such as Microsoft office suite, Go To Meeting, Zoom, or other virtual meeting application

• Experience creating, updating, and maintaining Excel spreadsheets; word and adobe documents;

• An exemplary track record providing administrative/technical assistance with the ability to work well under pressure

• Strong prioritization, time management and organizational skills with capability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines

• Meticulous attention to detail

• Ability to analyze and solve work-related problems

• A strong customer-service mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve division and agency goals

• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

• 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.

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