Lead Curriculum Specialist (Education Specialist V)

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.

Position Overview: The Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division's Special Projects team, carries out the State Board of Education's review and revision process for the K-12 curriculum standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. The Lead Curriculum Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the TEKS review and revision process by facilitating stakeholder and external work group meetings, assisting with meeting planning and preparation of administrative rules, and conducting research related to future TEKS review planning.

Additionally, the Lead Curriculum Specialist coordinates and provides project management for the implementation of legislative and State Board of Education (SBOE) mandates, particularly with respect to graduation requirements, the TEKS, and other general curriculum-related topics.

This work involves advanced technical writing assignments, including composing, editing, and reviewing documents such as bill analyses, legislative reports, SBOE agenda items, internal and external policy communications, and curriculum standards.

The Lead Curriculum Specialist reports to the Director of Special Projects, closely partnering with staff from the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division and staff from other divisions to provide support and guidance for programs required by state law or rule.

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. Curriculum Standards Review and Adoption: Provides support and coordination for the SBOE's review and revision of the TEKS, including facilitating educator work groups and preparing, proofreading, and editing and meeting documents.

2. Legislative and SBOE Support: Provides support during legislative session, including completing bill analysis and assisting in the preparation of reports and responses to legislative requests, and assists with activities related to SBOE meetings, including item development and preparation of agenda items and technical documents for meetings.

3. Technical Assistance: Provides technical assistance, guidance, support, and communication to teachers, parents, the public, and internal and other external stakeholders regarding Texas Education Code, Texas Administrative Code, and TEA policies and procedures relating primarily to general curriculum areas. This includes drafting newsletters, coordinating engagement and outreach activities, and developing reports, related to the review and revision of the TEKS.

4. Technical Writing: Drafts, edits, and proofreads documents to ensure consistency in grammar, style, content, and format for curriculum standards and other types of written educational materials and policies.

5. Program Management: Coordinates and supports the implementation of curriculum-related projects, including maintaining tracking systems and monitoring outcomes of state initiatives.



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in technical writing or editing and project management relevant to education initiatives or program administration at school districts, education service centers, colleges/universities, or state agencies. Extensive experience coordinating education projects, programs, and resources. Classroom teaching experience preferred.

• 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

• In-depth knowledge of academic standards

• In-depth knowledge of education law and rule with direct knowledge of Texas Education Code, Chapter 28, and Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 74, preferred

• Exceptional professional verbal communication skills, including ability to deliver clear presentations to a variety of audiences and internal and external stakeholders

• Extensive experience in composing, reviewing, and editing written communication, including technical documents and reports, to adhere to accepted styles, guidelines, and accessibility standards

• In-depth knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

• Ability to perform data requests and locate, organize, and analyze information from different sources and data sets

• Ability to plan and manage multiple complex projects and programs, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks to deliver quality products

• Experience with project management and program evaluation techniques and tools

• Skill in effective and appropriate use of technology

• Ability to foster effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, internal and external to TEA

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.