Senior Investigator (Investigator VI)

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); Presencial; USD 61 000 - 78 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Retirement benefits

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Wellness programs

PSLF eligibility

Resumo da oferta

The Texas Education Agency's Office of Governance in Austin seeks an experienced investigator to lead high-profile investigations, review complaints, and prepare evidence-based reports. This regular, full-time role requires strong written communication, confidentiality, and collaboration with school districts and law enforcement.

Flexible work location within Texas may be considered for qualified candidates; successful applicants will ensure safety, integrity, and compliance across Texas public

Qualificações

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience: At least five years of investigations work, background checks, or misconduct reviews.
• Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
• Must satisfy Texas DPS criteria for secure access and background checks.

Responsabilidades

• Leads preliminary reviews and conducts advanced investigations into misconduct and compliance issues.
• Analyzes information from complaints to assess relevance and risk, and makes recommendations.
• Documents findings in professional reports and prepares presentations for leadership.
• Provides testimony and litigation support as needed and trains staff on best practices.
• Oversees investigative operations and coordinates with partners to ensure outcomes.

Conhecimentos

Interview witnesses

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Confidentiality discipline

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Job ID

107755

Location

Austin

Other Recruiting Location

Austin;Texas

Number of Openings

1

State Job Code(s)

1356

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Company

Texas Education Agency

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Salary Admin Plan(s)

B

Salary Admin Grade(s)

24

Salary Range

$5425.34 - 6997.86 per Month

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

At the Texas Education Agency's Office of Governance (OG), we are driven by a powerful mission: to proactively support school systems, keep students safe, and uphold Texas education law with integrity, objectivity, and excellence. Our core workstreams, Field Support and Compliance & Investigations, focus on strengthening governance, fostering a culture of accountability, and promoting continuous improvement across Texas schools. By working closely with school systems and agency teams, we help ensure every Texas public school student has access to a safe, high-quality education.

Flexibility

Flexible work location in Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Application Requirements

Please note that a resume, 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.

Investigations

Leads preliminary reviews and conducts highly advanced, senior-level, and high-profile investigations into reports and complaints involving child abuse, solicitation, educator misconduct, ethics violations, and other compliance issues under the authority of SBEC or the Commissioner of Education; and collects and evaluates evidence, interviews witnesses, and collaborates with internal and external partners to reach findings in alignment with investigative plans, division protocols, priorities, and time standards.

Analysis and Recommendation

Analyzes information from initial complaints and investigations to assess the relevance and significance of facts in relation to the allegations; applies agency, state, and federal policies to identify red flags, assess risk, and make informed recommendations for case resolution; utilizes appropriate analytical tools and techniques; demonstrates exemplary technical skills and a deep contextual understanding of allegations; identifies multiple sources of information; and assesses overarching risks to student safety and potential culpability at various levels within a school system.

Documentation, Report Writing, and Presentations

Accurately documents the collection of information and key milestones throughout the investigative process; synthesizes findings into organized, professional, and comprehensive reports, case briefings, and referrals that clearly communicate evidence-based findings and provide essential context for stakeholders; develops high-quality presentations for senior agency leadership and the Commissioner as appropriate; and trains staff on best practices in investigations and report writing as needed.

Testimony and Litigation Support

Provides testimony and presents evidence and analysis in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings to support enforcement and compliance actions; prepares professional exhibits and offers litigation support to legal staff as needed; and trains staff on best practices for delivering testimony and supporting the litigation process as needed.

Investigative Operations

Performs special projects to support division operations; collaborates with colleagues, legal staff, and external agencies to strengthen investigative outcomes, uphold accountability, and maintain high standards in Texas public education; serves as a subject matter expert, provides strategic oversight of cases, and ensures workflow continuity and operational efficiency, occasionally serving in a supervisory capacity.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in performing background checks, reviewing allegations of misconduct, or conducting investigations relating to child abuse.

Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

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.
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to misconduct, criminal and administrative investigations, and confidentiality, including the Texas Penal Code, Texas Education Code, Texas Family Code, Texas Administrative Code, and FERPA.
• Experience conducting and reviewing criminal and administrative investigations, including allegations of child abuse, financial fraud, and educator certification or licensing violations, such as testing misconduct and manipulation of the SBEC certification process.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interview witnesses and accused individuals regarding alleged acts of misconduct.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills that establish and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, law enforcement, court personnel, legal staff, and other TEA divisions.
• Aptitude for gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources, presenting the information in detailed, factual, concise, and professionally written reports, and making sound recommendations by required deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in providing guidance and/or training to staff on best practices in investigative or related functions.
• Willingness to seek efficiencies in an office environment, stay organized, prioritize tasks to achieve goals and objectives, deliver requirements to internal and external customers, and contribute to the agency's priorities.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Must satisfy the Texas Department of Public Safety's criteria for access to the TX DPS secure website and Clearinghouse.
• Experience coordinating investigations with school districts, DFPS, and law enforcement to ensure thorough investigative outcomes, preferred.

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.

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.

Military/Veteran Information

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

To claim Military Employment Preference, applicants must:

• Select the applicable Military Employment Preference category in the employment application.
• Upload supporting documentation verifying eligibility in the Attachments section of the application before submitting the application.

Important: Self-identifying as eligible for Military Employment Preference does not by itself establish eligibility. Supporting documentation is required for TEA to verify eligibility before Military Employment Preference can be applied during the selection process. Applicants who do not submit sufficient documentation may not be considered eligible for Military Employment Preference. This requirement is consistent with TEA's Military Employment Preference procedures.

For information about eligibility requirements, required supporting documentation, and instructions for claiming Military Employment Preference, please review the Military Employment Preference page, which outlines eligible categories, documentation requirements, and the eligibility verification process.

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.