State Board of Education (SBOE) Chair Policy Specialist (Program Specialist VII)

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 salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview

The State Board of Education (SBOE) holds policymaking authority as established by the Texas Constitution and Texas Legislature in key education policy areas. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides staff support to the SBOE in various areas including policy making, administration, programmatic areas.

The SBOE Chair Policy Specialist will serve as the primary support for the Chair of the SBOE. This role involves close collaboration with the SBOE Support team and with staff across TEA to ensure the Chair's administrative needs are met efficiently and effectively. Success in this role involves continuous improvement of policy making in support of all Texas students.

The Specialist will collaborate closely with the SBOE Policy Support Director to address issues related to the full Board, ensuring smooth and efficient management of support. Additionally, the Specialist will assist the Director of SBOE Operational Support in facilitating key SBOE meetings, communication, and rulemaking needs.

While the Specialist supports the Chair, they do not manage or direct committee business. Instead, they ensure that the Chair's key initiatives are on track to meet expected objectives and timelines.

This position reports directly to the Director of Governmental Relations and will work with a management structure that includes significant direction from the SBOE Chair.

This position will work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The specialist may work a hybrid schedule (combination of telework and in-person work) as appropriate to perform the duties of the role, including in-person attendance for all SBOE meetings.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter 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. Administrative Support - Provide executive-level administrative support to the Chair of the SBOE, including calendar management and scheduling, meeting logistics, follow-up and process improvements. Analyze and synthesize reports and data to maximize the Chair's capacity to perform duties. Develop and manage project plans, track key deliverables ensuring clear expectations and timely completion of tasks. Coordinate with staff across TEA and with the SBOE support team to ensure that the projects are completed as expected. Ensure timely responses to requests sent to the Chair, typically within 3 days.

2. Serve as Strategic Specialist - Support the Chair to strategize and identify high priority initiatives to manage them effectively. Assist in the preparation and refinement of materials for meetings and public presentations. Provide input on proposed rules and procedures, and support policy design and drafting in coordination with the SBOE Policy Support Director. Review, analyze, and summarize complex documents and reports, creating executive summaries as needed. Support the Chair in convening work groups and ad hoc committees.

3. Support General External Engagement Strategy - Assist with outreach efforts and meetings to ensure the Chair has visibility into constituent questions and concerns. Gather and synthesize feedback for review by the Chair.

4. Assist SBOE Support Team - Assist the SBOE Support Team in coordinating meetings and projects. Support the SBOE Policy and Operations Support Directors in planning and developing agendas. Work within the team and with internal TEA staff to ensure timely and accurate completion of requested documents. Support the Director of SBOE Operations Support in maintaining accurate external communications, including website content and supporting documentation.



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Experience: Five years of related experience with at least three (3) years of experience in public administration or related field working with elected officials.

• 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

• Advanced degree is preferred in the field of Government, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or related field

• Outstanding skill in leadership and effective project management and an ability to plan, monitor, supervise initiatives or projects of others

• Experience reviewing, analyzing, summarizing, and assembling complex documents such as reports and creating executive summaries of these reports

• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines

• Effective and professional verbal and written communication skills including ability to create appropriate talking points, speeches, and effective presentations

• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions

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

• Familiarity with the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code

• 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 "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" 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.