Editor/Research Specialist (Research 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.

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.

This is a 10-day posting, which will close on February 23rd, at 11:59pm.

Position Overview: This position supports the measurement of school district effectiveness and student learning across the Texas public school system. The role is housed within the Division of Research and Analysis, which produces research and policy analysis on educational progress, the public-school accountability system, and other education topics of interest. The position performs highly advanced (senior-level) research and editorial work.

The Editor/Research Specialist writes, edits, and prepares for publication research reports, legislative reports, and Web content; ensures Web content accessibility and gathers and monitors Web analytics; provides project staff with technical assistance and training in report and Web standards, procedures, and production tools. The position coordinates or collaborates on education policy analysis and documentation; prepares comprehensive reviews of literature and of statute, rules, and policies; and reviews, analyzes, and prepares briefing papers on the effects of legislation, regulations, and policy. The role also coordinates or collaborates on the planning and development of research projects; develops well-defined project purposes, goals, and objectives that can be clearly communicated; develops, documents, and maintains report and Web guidelines, procedures, and quality assurance measures; and provides AskTED administration backup.

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable about project management, education data, and editorial guidelines, and is skilled with writing, editing, web and desktop publishing, quality assurance measures, and technical/customer support. The successful candidate is detail-oriented; self-driven; and works well in a team environment as well as independently. This position operates under minimal supervision and is given significant latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

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.

1. Report and Web content production: Plan, design, draft, edit, lay out, publish, and distribute division research reports, legislative reports, and Web content, and collaborate on literature reviews, policy histories, policy analyses, and ad hoc requests for information.

2. Web content accessibility, publication, and analytics: Ensure reports and other Web content meet or exceed accessibility standards, coordinate and collaborate with WebAdmin to publish reports and other Web content, and use Siteimprove tools to gather and monitor Web analytics.

3. AskTED administration backup: Maintain, update, and safeguard the integrity of Texas public school organization data using AskTED and the ORG database.

4. Report and Web content technical assistance: Provide consultation and technical assistance on report and Web guidelines, procedures, and production tools.

5. Report, Web content, and quality assurance documentation: Develop, document, and maintain report and Web guidelines, procedures, and quality assurance measures.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in writing, editing, and preparing reports for publication, preferably research, evaluation, or statistical reports.

• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education 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

• Experience managing projects, including project planning, development, coordination, and oversight.

• Knowledge of: education data, policy, and research; research methods; statistics; library and Internet resources for research; and editorial guidelines.

• Experience in writing and editing; analyzing data, policy, and research; Web and desktop publishing; and developing and documenting standards, procedures, and/or quality assurance measures.

• Capable of leading projects and project teams; working independently; devising solutions to problems; paying close attention to detail; and demonstrating excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• A desire to self-reflect, give and receive feedback, and continuously improve, and an ability to maintain good working relationships with a variety of people and groups, including external vendors, school district personnel, and TEA staff.

• Experience in the following preferred: conducting literature reviews and analyzing policy, statute, and/or legislation; using MS Word, Excel, and Visio to prepare visual displays of data and to format and lay out reports for publication; preparing and publishing Web content; developing and documenting standards, procedures, and/or quality assurance measures; and using editorial style manuals, such as the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association" and the "Chicago Manual of Style."

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.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

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 "[email protected]" 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.