Director, Federal Reporting and Special Populations (Director II)

Organization: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location: Texas-Austin

Work Locations: Texas Education Agency (701TX-WBT) 1701 NORTH CONGRESS AVENUE Austin , 78701

Job: Management

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

State Job Code: 1621

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 27

Salary (Pay Basis): 7,015.16‐9,439.83(Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

Job Posting: Apr 15, 2026, 12:21:44 AM

Closing Date: Apr 28, 2026, 7:59:00 AM

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 April 27, at 11:59pm.

Position Overview: The Director of Federal Reporting and Special Populations performs advanced (senior level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning and administering the daily operations and activities of the Federal Reporting and Special Populations Unit.

The director is responsible for developing procedures and guidelines to implement systems analysis and requirements, report and file creation, quality assurance and documentation processes for federal performance and data reporting, including ad hoc requests, for multiple agency program areas. This individual directs the writing of complex SAS programs, reviews and validates SAS programs produced by team members, and ensures timelines are met. Other duties include ensuring the development and deployment of the State Performance Plan (SPP) web portal, including the systems analysis, requirements, quality assurance and documentation processes.

The position serves as the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) State Coordinator, which involves the coordination of the submission of the report and EdFacts data to the federal government. In addition, the role establishes the creation of standard and supplemental data files for the Education Research Centers. This position serves as the executive director's designee on the Department of Information Resources Open Data Portal User Group. This position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Director develops procedures and guidelines for the complex systems that ensure high-quality data and reports are completed on time to fill state and federal reporting requirements across multiple program areas.

The Director of Federal Reporting and Special Populations reports to the Director of Information Analysis in the Research and Analysis Division.

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

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. Direction of Special Populations Federal Reporting for EdFacts: Directs the development, execution and deployment of EdFacts federal reporting in support of multiple program areas in Special Populations on an annual basis. Develops numerous processes and procedures to ensure the accurate and timely completion of over 50 data files including detailed requirements gathering, data analysis, programming, quality assurance and data submission into the federal system. Provides guidance and establishes techniques for the successful reconciliation of errors. Establishes communications with the Federal Program Compliance, Emergent Bilingual Support, Special Education, and Educator Certification divisions regarding the interpretation of file specifications and transmission of data files according to prescribed timelines. Creates timelines and protocols for the submission of Special Education metadata/data and develops strategies and processes to ensure the agency meets federal timeliness, accuracy and completeness requirements and avoids fiduciary penalties. Also directs the collection of information from TEA program areas for the Consolidated State Performance Report that is required by the USDE as authorized by federal grants Title I to Title V, and McKinney Vento, and coordinates the submission and certification of the Report on an annual basis.

2. Direction of the State Performance Plan Reporting System: Directs the development, execution and final publication of a data creation and reporting system consisting of 14 State Performance Plan Indicators as required by the US Department of Education and aligned with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) monitoring priorities. Establishes processes and procedures for the development, programming, quality reviews and formatting of reports related to graduation, dropouts, statewide assessments, disciplinary actions, educational environment and disproportionality for special education students. Responsible for strategic planning and execution of new systems as required by the TEA Special Populations division for responding to information needs and filling mandated requirements in a FERPA-compliant manner. Establishes communications with TEA program areas to implement policy changes and address changes from the USDE on established targets and yearly deadlines.

3. Direction of Education Research Center Data Administration and Support: Directs the development, execution and dissemination of an extensive collection of internal TEA files and researcher-supplied supplemental files in support of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the 3 Texas Education Research Centers (ERCs) that were established by the Texas Legislature. Establishes processes and procedures for the support and data processing activities related to the creation of these data products. Responsible for planning and executing the creation of TEA files from numerous databases and program areas, including Information Technology Services, Student Assessment, Educator Certification and Early Childhood Education. Develops processes and strategies for activities such as gathering business requirements, data processing, quality assurance, documentation and secure transfer of data files. Coordinates communications with other state agencies and researchers on establishing data sharing agreements and determining appropriate, FERPA-compliant subject matter for approved projects. Develops timelines and protocols to manage supplemental data requests in a timely manner. Develops and improves processes to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.

4. FRSP Project Oversight and Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement: Provides direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning and determines priorities and standards in accordance with the division's strategic plan. Stays informed of changes to policy and develops new policies and procedures accordingly. Sets goals and objectives and determines measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals. Coordinates and evaluates project activities and business functions. Establishes communication protocols for unit customers, both internal and external, and develops stakeholder surveys to ensure customer needs are being met.

5. Leadership Direction for Staff and Projects: Directs planning, coordination and timely completion of staff work tasks while engaging in strategic decision making to balance work across unit resources to ensure seamless project execution from inception to finalization and documentation; promotes opportunities for staff growth and development; and ensures administrative tasks (e.g., completing T&E, approving leave, conducting performance management tasks, managing staff hiring) are completed in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in project management or equivalent experience leading or supervising professional or technical computer programming staff involved in data processing, compilation, or reporting. At least four (4) years of SAS programming experience is required.

• 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

• Skill in project planning, goal setting, and time management

• Ability to direct complex SAS programming tasks, including troubleshooting/debugging of programs and preparing data for web publication and program documentation

• Understanding of confidential data presentation techniques

• Knowledge of best practices in statistical and data reporting

• A track record of exemplary people management and supervisory practices

• Ability to provide excellent customer service

• Experience using report writing tools

• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high quality work in a dynamic environment

• Highly organized; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

• Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment

• Experience analyzing legislation and state and federal regulation for policy implications and in developing policy options is preferred

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.