School Safety Agent, Gulf Coast Sector (Director II)

Texas Department of Public Safety; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking a dedicated School Safety Agent to enhance safety in Texas schools. This role involves collaborating with educational institutions and law enforcement to improve safety protocols and emergency preparedness. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in law enforcement or school administration and a strong commitment to student welfare.

Qualifications

• 10 years of law enforcement experience or 5 years of school administration experience.
• Experience in physical security operations and behavioral threat assessment is crucial.
• Exceptional judgment, integrity, and leadership skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Implements school safety requirements and conducts safety inspections.
• Provides technical assistance and leads safety training for schools.
• Coordinates with regional agencies for improved safety responses.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

Job 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.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The School Safety Agent works to improve school safety and security, both within TEA and with multiple regional agencies and stakeholders. The School Safety Agent reports directly to the Senior School Safety Agent in their respective Sector.

The Agent will be responsible for implementation of school safety requirements, technical assistance, training, and campus and district safety inspections, within their sector of the state. The work also includes leading cross-governmental efforts at the regional level to ensure supports are coherently available, regardless of state entity with direct oversight. These collaborative efforts will predominantly focus on (1) improving campus incident preparedness and response, (2) supporting school system access to safety resources and related resource allocation decisions, (3) improving facility access control conditions and operational posture, (4) improving district performance management practices related to safety and security operations, (5) increasing the adoption of best practices involving the behavioral threat assessment protocol, and (6) other safety related needs as determined by TEA. The Agent will participate in strategic visioning and planning processes, perform stakeholder engagement, and will work under minimal supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Ideal candidates will hold a deep authentic belief in TEA’s mission, be an outstanding personnel and team player, be highly skilled in change management and stakeholder engagement, and possess exceptional judgment and discernment.

Each of these positions is a satellite role and is based in specific geographic area requiring frequent travel within a designated TEA School Safety & Security Sector.

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. Additionally, 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. School Safety: provides physical and technical security expertise to school districts with the knowledge and ability to help schools configure safety measures in accordance with TEA rules, guidance and/or best practices
2. Conducts Audits and Compliance: provides guidance and oversight to their school safety sector on the 3-year school safety self-audits, conducts 4-year District Vulnerability Assessments and assists with other required compliance monitoring as needed
3. Training and Technical Assistance: assists with the planning and coordination of school safety trainings and exercises for the Local Education Agencies (LEA) and Educational Service Centers (ESCs) in the school safety regions across their sector
4. Regional Agency Liaison: coordinates and communicates with school district superintendents, Education Service Centers, federal, state and local law enforcement partners and liaison with Joint Terrorism Task Forces

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Required Licenses: May be a licensed peace officer, current or retired federal law enforcement agent, or current or former school administrator.
• Experience: At least ten [10] years of law enforcement experience or at least five [5] years school administration experience, which may include school safety experience. Applicant must demonstrate substantial experience in physical security operations, behavioral threat assessment and emergency operation procedures. Must have experience reviewing and approving investigative / audit / administrative reports.

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.
• Exceptional leadership and personnel management skills
• Highly skilled in working cross functionally with an ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment
• Excellent judgment, integrity, and commitment to personal responsibility and accountability
• Professional maturity and ability to navigate external stakeholders
• Analytical with a strength in structuring ambiguity into actionable, value-added plans
• High intellectual ceiling with the ability to solve new and dynamic operating problems at a systems level
• Understanding of and investment in performance management best practice and routines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to juggle competing priorities
• Comfort and experience using data to inform strategy and drive towards outcomes
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

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. Please add "[e-mail]" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.

#LI-DNI