Manager, Educator Investigations (Manager IV)- INTERNAL

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

This is a 5-day internal posting. We are only accepting applications from current Texas Education Agency (TEA) employees. External applicants will not be considered.

Position Overview

At the Texas Education Agency's Office of Governance (OG), we are 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 every Texas public school student has access to a safe, high-quality education.

On behalf of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Commissioner of Education, the Educator Investigations Division (EID) plays a critical role in safeguarding students in Texas by addressing allegations of misconduct involving educators and school employees. The division is structured into two primary units: Intake and Investigations.

The Intake Unit serves as the initial review and decision-making engine for the division, where complex information is assessed, risks are evaluated, and critical decisions are made. The team reviews misconduct reports, conducts preliminary reviews, tracks criminal matters, and collaborates with the Office of the Inspector General to facilitate the temporary suspension and inclusion process. This unit makes recommendations for formal investigations in strict accordance with SBEC and agency policy, always prioritizing student safety.

The Investigations Unit conducts formal investigations into reports of alleged misconduct by SBEC-certified educators and non-certified school employees. This unit ensures that due process is provided in all cases, maintaining a strong commitment to protecting students and upholding the integrity of the educational environment.

The Investigations Manager leads a team of approximately six investigators, guiding their efforts to conduct thorough, fair, and timely investigations into allegations of misconduct. The role involves setting strategic goals, refining operational procedures, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Division Director, the manager operates under minimal supervision and with considerable latitude for exercising proactive initiative and independent judgment to advance and achieve objectives.

Flexible work location in 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. Team Management and Supervision: demonstrates strong performance management and coaching skills in leading a high-performing, mission-driven team; fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability and ownership, and continuous improvement; partners with other managers and directors across units to set clear, data-informed objectives; motivates team members and tracks progress against established performance metrics and competency standards to achieve both individual and collective goals; actively supports the professional growth and development of each team member

2. Case Management and Quality Assurance: ensures investigative efforts are aligned with SBEC and agency policy, procedures and best practices; reviews and approves investigative reports and recommendations; oversees the team's docket, including misconduct and criminal history reports, tracking responsibilities, recommendations for opening investigations, and conducting thorough administrative investigations; guides the team in making appropriate case resolution recommendations that prioritize student safety

3. Process Improvement and Optimization: continuously evaluates workflows and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness; analyzes historical and current case-related data to identify areas of risk, deficiencies, and trends; establishes structures to standardize decision-making processes, including multi-level review and approval systems, in support of student safety; promotes a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement to advance the agency's mission

4. Investigative Operations: leads and contributes to special projects that support division operations; collaborates with colleagues, legal staff, and external agencies to strengthen investigative outcomes and uphold accountability; responds to inquiries and concerns from school administrators and stakeholders; serves as a subject matter expert, provides strategic oversight of cases, and ensures workflow continuity and operational efficiency in a supervisor capacity as needed

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

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

Experience: At least (4) years of experience in conducting investigations of misconduct or criminal violations, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or trainer role

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
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to background check requirements, criminal history, and administrative and criminal investigations, including Texas Edu Code, Chap. 22; and 19 Texas Admin. Code, Part 2- Chap 153, and Part 7- Chap 249.
• Skilled in investigating allegations of child abuse, financial fraud, manipulation of a certification process, and misconduct.
• Demonstrated ability train and develop staff in reviewing allegations, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and accused individuals regarding alleged acts of misconduct, writing reports, and presenting information in an organized manner.
• Proven ability to critically reflect on performance, determine root-cause of issues, and find solutions that improve work product and efficiency.
• Strong communication (both oral and written), including skill in writing for the intended audience and training others to write reports that are factual, concise, and professionally written.
• Solid experience using a variety of software applications to perform work and develop technical solutions, including but not limited to Office 365, Adobe Acrobat, customized databases, and case management systems; willingness to independently seek training on the use of software to achieve results, improve work product, and train others on best-practices.
• Willingness to seek efficiency in an office environment; stay organized and prioritize tasks to achieve goals and objectives; eager to deliver requirements to internal/external customers and contribute to the agency's priorities.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Must satisfy the Texas Department of Public Safety's criteria for access to the TX DPS secure website and Clearinghouse.
• Relevant experience in an administrative or regulatory environment and investigating allegations of child abuse, school misconduct, financial fraud, and licensure violations is preferred.
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification, Tx Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license, or similar designations, preferred.

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page .

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

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 Careers at TEA page .

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [email protected] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.

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