Career and Technical Education Postsecondary Pathways and Credentialing Specialist (Education Specialist IV)

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement through ERS

Health insurance

Paid holidays & leave

Professional development opportunities

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Texas Education Agency seeks a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Postsecondary Pathways and Credentialing Specialist to lead the strategic alignment of CTE pathways across secondary, higher education, and workforce systems, expanding access to high-value credentials and opportunities.

You will serve as the primary liaison for statewide initiatives, collaborating with higher education boards, workforce agencies, and industry representatives.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience with postsecondary workforce initiatives.
• Ability to communicate state law and provide unbiased guidance to the public.
• Experience coordinating with multiple agencies and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of statewide CTE-to-postsecondary pathway frameworks.
• Cultivate partnerships with higher education, workforce partners, and industry.
• Guide design of statewide dual credit and credentialing strategies and resources.
• Analyze credential attainment and program outcomes to inform policy.
• Lead a cohesive five-year strategic plan for CTE pathways.

Skills

Project management

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Stakeholder collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

Position Overview: The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Postsecondary Pathways and Credentialing Specialist leads the strategic alignment of Career and Technical Education pathways across secondary education, higher education, and workforce systems to expand student access to high-value credentials and career opportunities. This role serves as the primary liaison for statewide initiatives related to workforce dual credit, postsecondary credential attainment, and career pathway alignment, collaborating with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Workforce Commission, education stakeholders, and industry representatives. The position drives the development of integrated frameworks that connect Programs of Study to Level I and Level II Certificates, Occupational Skills Awards, applied associate degrees, and workforce priorities, ensuring students experience seamless transitions from high school to postsecondary education and employment. Through strategic partnerships, data-informed planning, and systems development, the role advances statewide efforts to strengthen talent pipelines, support economic growth, and meet the evolving workforce needs of Texas.

This position serves as an individual contributor within the Career and Technical Education area in addition to coordinating with other internal teams, Tri-Agency partners, ESCs, leadership groups, and external stakeholders. The role strengthens alignment of pathways across secondary education, higher education, and workforce systems.

This position reports to the Deputy Director, Career and Technical Education within the College, Career, and Military Preparation division within the Office of School Programs.

This position requires up to 25% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

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

Essential Functions

• 1 - Postsecondary Policy and Systems Alignment: Leads the development and continuous improvement of statewide CTE-to-postsecondary pathway frameworks that align Programs of Study with Level I and Level II Certificates, Occupational Skills Awards, applied associate degrees, and other high-value credentials.
• 2 - Workforce Alignment and Strategic Partnerships: Cultivates and leads strategic partnerships with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Workforce Commission, institutions of higher education, workforce partners, and industry stakeholders to align secondary and postsecondary pathways with workforce priorities, strengthen cross-agency collaboration, and advance statewide talent development goals.
• 3 - Dual Credit and Credentialing Strategy and Resources: Guides the design and implementation of statewide strategies and resources that expand access to workforce dual credit opportunities and increase student attainment of industry-recognized and postsecondary credentials.
• 4 - Data Analysis and Systems Improvement: Analyzes credential attainment, postsecondary transition, workforce, and program outcome data and systems to inform policy recommendations, strengthen pathway effectiveness, and improve statewide student success outcomes.
• 5 - Strategic Planning and Vision Development: Leads the development and implementation of a cohesive vision for the strategic alignment of CTE pathways across secondary education, higher education, and workforce systems, aligning strategic priorities with statewide education and workforce goals. This includes crafting a five-year strategic plan, identifying growth opportunities, conducting landscape analyses, and creating actionable goals to achieve high-impact outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience working with postsecondary initiatives related to workforce dual credit, postsecondary credential attainment, CTE pathways, and programs in school districts, education service centers, institutions of higher education, and/or statewide initiatives
• 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 postsecondary education systems, including community college and technical college operations, workforce education programs, academic advising, enrollment processes, faculty credentialing requirements, and student progression through postsecondary pathways
• Familiarity with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation standards, Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) courses and programs, Level I and Level II certificates, Occupational Skills Awards, applied associate degrees, industry-based certifications, and related postsecondary credentialing frameworks
• Knowledge of CTE TEKS, federal Perkins law, required and permissive use of funds related to CTE, state graduation requirements, and functions and challenges of school systems and education service centers
• Highly skilled in project management with excellent time management demonstrated by previous experience organizing and completing multiple projects simultaneously, establishing long- and short-term strategies to accomplish project goals, and meeting deadlines
• Ability to communicate intent of state law and rule and work within statutory authority to provide unbiased guidance and information to the public regarding issues related to CTE and postsecondary education using excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience delivering public presentations and communicating complex information
• Ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, internal and external to TEA
• Experience with effective and efficient use of technology, specifically the use of Microsoft Office Suite in preparing and editing documents, development of slide decks, and effective use of Excel while paying meticulous attention to detail when producing high-quality work
• Ability to ask questions, synthesize and analyze complex information and break information down into comprehensive parts
• A desire to engage in self-reflection, give/receive feedback and continuously improve or adapt when presented with a change of course; willingness to fill a need, solve new and dynamic problems, and strategically advance initiative efforts

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page .

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

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.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page .

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [e-mail] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.