Investigator (Investigator V)

Organization: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location: Texas-Austin

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

Job: Business and Financial Operations

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

State Job Code: 1355

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 22

Salary (Pay Basis): 4,801.17‐6,163.04(Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

Job Posting: Jun 11, 2026, 1:30:10 AM

Closing Date: Jun 27, 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.

Position Overview

The Texas Education Agency's Office of Governance (OG) is 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 that every Texas public school student has access to a safe, high-quality education.

The Special Investigations Division (SID) is dedicated to safeguarding student welfare and ensuring that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) comply with regulatory standards in the Texas educational system. The division plays a pivotal role in upholding the integrity of education by conducting thorough compliance reviews and leading high-profile investigations into violations of laws governing the Texas educational system. These investigations include misconduct and wrongdoing by district officials and trustees. The three primary teams within SID are Academic and Program Integrity, Fiscal Integrity, and Compliance Review.

The Investigator will conduct advanced investigations into complex allegations, including fraud, academic manipulation, and governance conflicts, while contributing to division-wide initiatives and training. This role performs senior-level investigative work with minimal supervision, exercising substantial initiative and independent judgment. The Investigator frequently plans and organizes complex investigations and contributes to division expertise by developing and delivering training on investigative techniques and best practices. This role requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, school personnel, and external stakeholders. Successful candidates will join a mission-driven team committed to protecting students and maintaining accountability in Texas public education.

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. Complex Investigations: manage allegations involving assessment irregularities, academic manipulation, financial mismanagement, fraud, governance conflicts, and educator misconduct under Chapter 39 TEC; coordinate with internal and external divisions to ensure investigative plans align with priorities and time standards.

2. Analytical Depth: apply advanced techniques and tools to identify risk, assess red flags, and recommend resolutions; analyze all complaint information and investigation data for context and significance

3. Comprehensive Reporting: produce detailed reports, case briefings, and referrals that effectively communicate evidence-based findings for internal and external stakeholders

4. Court Testimony: testify in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; develop professional exhibits and provide litigation support to legal staff

5. Division Collaboration: contribute to operational improvement projects, policy development, and maintain standards in Texas public education

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Degree field(s): Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Education, Business, Accounting, Finance, Criminology, Psychology, or related fields.
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in conducting or supervising complex investigations and complaint reviews in areas such as public corruption, large-scale regulatory compliance, intelligence analysis (including work with analytical tools), and fraud, waste, and 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.
• Possess working knowledge and the ability to explain state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to child abuse and solicitation, misconduct, fraud, waste, and abuse, criminal violations, and confidentiality, including the Texas Penal Code, Texas Education Code, Texas Family Code, and Texas Administrative Code.
• Ability to adapt to and effectively engage with diverse individuals and stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize large volumes of data, documents, and records to identify patterns, extract key insights and contextual information, and support informed decision-making in investigations.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including identifying challenges, gathering and analyzing facts, evaluating alternatives, and implementing best-fit solutions.
• Displays excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple competing projects or priorities simultaneously.
• Desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Willingness to participate in the agency's culture of continuous improvement and espouse its core values.
• Must pass the TX Dept. of Public Safety's criteria for accessing the TX DPS secure website and DPS Clearinghouse.
• One or more of the following certifications preferred: Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Inspector General Investigator (CIGI), Certified Professional Criminal Investigator (CPCI), or ASIS International Professional Certified Investigator.
• Proficiency in Spanish 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.