Governmental Relations Specialist

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Education Agency in Austin is seeking a Governmental Relations Specialist to support the division’s legislative initiatives and coordinate with SBOE, SBEC, and key education stakeholders. This role involves facilitating communications, analyzing policy impacts, and ensuring timely information for the Legislature and other state bodies.

The position requires strong interpersonal and written skills, the ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines, and willingness to travel up to

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Degree fields include Public Administration, Public Affairs, Government, Public Policy, Education, Communications.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience, with at least 2 years in policymaking staff roles, including as staff for elected officials and/or members of the Texas legislature, Texas state agency, or Congress.
• An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience

Responsibilities

• Support the Functions of the Governmental Relations Division and respond to Legislative calls and requests.
• Serve as liaison to SBOE and SBEC and monitor meetings to inform leadership and deliverables.
• Establish relationships with legislative staff and external public education organizations to support policymaking and communication.

Skills

Communication

Policy analysis

Legislative knowledge

Data visualization

Education

Public Administration

Public Policy

Education

Communications

Government

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

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

The Governmental Relations Specialist performs highly advanced legislative and consultative work. This position will play an important role in the Governmental Relations Division in support of TEA's legislatively - required and requested initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about education from the top level and engage a variety of stakeholders about the Texas public education system. This position is critical to ensuring TEA provides accurate and timely information and support to the Legislature, Legislative Budget Board, Office of the Governor, State Board of Education, and to internal TEA staff. Facilitation of information is important for TEA to achieve the state's strategic vision to ensure that the 5.4 million public school students in Texas are prepared for success in college, career, or the military.

The Governmental Relations Specialist is privy to confidential and sensitive information and must have excellent interpersonal skills. This person will report to the Chief of Governmental Relations and will work closely with the Governmental Relations Team, Department of SBOE, Deputy Commissioner of School Programs, Deputy Commissioner of Educator Support, Office of the Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Education. This position will provide high-quality support for the GR Team and its efforts to execute against the state's strategic priorities for education with a focus on the SBOE, charter schools, parental choice initiatives, complaints and investigations, and other programmatic areas as assigned.

May assign and/or supervise the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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

1. Support the Functions of the Governmental Relations Division:

Works with the division to ensure all Legislative calls and requests are responded to in a timely manner. Works within a team on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects which may include planning and coordinating multiple projects, presentations including data visualization, disseminating information, and ensuring close out of inquiries or questions from the field. In collaboration with the Chief of Governmental Relations, the GR Specialist is the lead GR member on matters related to SBOE, charter schools, parental choice initiatives, and educator investigations. Assists with the GR Team's review and input on Agency proposed rules, reports, and procedures and assists in the development and facilitation of ongoing trainings on legislative topics and processes as desired by Agency leadership.

2. Serves as Governmental Relations Team's Liaison for State Board of Education and State Board for Educator Certification and Collaborates with Governmental Relations Team on Legislative Hearings and Meetings:

This position will serve as the primary Governmental Relations liaison to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) during and between board meetings. This position will work closely with the SBOE and SBEC Support teams to ensure key communication, rulemaking, and other important initiatives requiring TEA Governmental Relations support are completed. This includes monitoring all SBOE and SBEC public meetings to ensure the Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Office of School Programs, and specifically the Office of the Commissioner are adequately informed of important issues, concerns, and actions taken by these two boards. Coordinates with the Chief of Governmental Relations and the Governmental Relations team to ensure effective and efficient monitoring and tracking of Legislative Hearings and agency deliverables. Collaborates with the Governmental Relations team to ensure agency awareness of and alignment of key legislative actions and deliberations involving public education in Texas. Ensures completion and close out of deliverables from external legislative hearings and meetings.

3. Establishes, Maintains, and Utilizes Relationships with Legislative Staffers and External Public Education Organizations:

Serves as a liaison between TEA program areas and the Legislature and their staff to ensure public education policymaking can be enacted and implemented with the highest level of effectiveness. This includes developing significant understanding of the Texas public education policy framework in all areas of public education - specifically in the previously mentioned portfolio - and their operational and implementational ramifications. Coordinates with the Chief of Governmental Relations to ensure accurate external communications, including but not limited to Governmental Relations website content, supporting collateral for meeting agendas, and the Governmental Relations Team's communications and presentations to elected officials and their staff.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree field(s): Public Administration, Public Affairs, Government, Public Policy, Education, Communications
• Experience: At least seven (7) years of professional experience, with at least 2 years in policymaking staff roles, including as staff for elected officials and/or members of the Texas legislature, Texas state agency, or Congress
• 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 legislative processes and state government administration is preferred
• Ability to analyze issues; to work under pressure and meet close deadlines; and to communicate effectively and clearly on complex issues is required
• Excellent inter-personal skills and verbal/written communication skills are required
• Requires strong personal values around reliability, confidentiality, and sensitive information
• Ability to prioritize work and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups while managing multiple projects with varied timelines
• Requires work in an environment with short turnaround times and the possibility for work outside normal working hours including some late night and/or weekends during the legislative session
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to public education; public administration and legislative strategy preferred; general understanding of statistical analysis processes preferred; and of legislative management processes and techniques is preferred
• Skill in compiling, evaluating, and presenting legislative information, preferably in public education; in problem-solving; and in policy analysis and research
• Requires excellent skills in the use of a computer and applicable software, specifically Excel, PowerPoint and Word with strong data visualization skills

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.

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.

Benefits include:

• 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.

This position requires up to 10% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

This position requires working onsite in Austin, Texas. Candidates must be able to report in person to support meetings, business operations, and other job-related responsibilities as needed.