Special Education Day and Residential Programs and High-Cost Fund Specialist (Education Specialist V)

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

Position Overview

The Special Education Day and Residential Programs, Focused Monitoring, and High-Cost Fund Specialist performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative and technical assistance work related to day and residential placements, focused monitoring, High-Cost Fund programs, and associated special education initiatives.

This recruitment will be used to fill two positions within the program area. One position will provide primary support for Day Placement initiatives, while the other will provide primary support for Residential Placement initiatives. Although each position has a distinct area of focus, both roles support statewide program implementation and collaborate across day and residential services to promote positive outcomes for students. Working under minimal supervision and with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, these positions will plan, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate statewide program activities that support compliance with state and federal special education requirements.

The Special Education Day and Residential Programs and High-Cost Fund Specialist provides technical assistance and customer support to LEAs, ESCs, families, and providers; supports administration of High-Cost Fund applications and awards; supports APEX platform administration and continuous improvement; develops policies, procedures, guidance, and monitoring protocols; and supports focused monitoring activities.

Day Placements: While supporting both day and residential programs, this position provides either specialized support and subject-matter expertise for day placement initiatives and cooperative funding activities, including support of award lifecycles, related fiscal processes, and statewide program implementation.

Residential Placements: While supporting both day and residential programs, this position provides specialized support and subject-matter expertise for residential placement initiatives, including coordination of behavioral supports, collaboration regarding noneducational funding opportunities, and efforts that support student reintegration into less restrictive educational settings.

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. Day and Residential Programs, High Cost Fund, and APEX Administration: ¿plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate processes related to day placements, residential placements, High-Cost Fund applications and awards, and APEX system administration. Provide highly advanced consultative services, technical assistance, and customer support to local education agencies (LEAs) and other stakeholders regarding program eligibility, application requirements, compliance obligations, and operational processes. Develop and maintain procedures, guidance, and resources that support consistent statewide implementation and continuous improvement of assigned programs.

2. Day and Residential Monitoring and Focused Monitoring: ¿plan, develop, coordinate, and support monitoring, compliance, and risk management activities associated with day placements, residential placements, High-Cost Fund programs, and focused monitoring requirements. Analyze program performance and compliance data; identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement; support implementation of monitoring protocols and corrective actions; and collaborate with agency staff to ensure compliance with state and federal special education requirements. Support monitoring activities across both day and residential programs to ensure continuity of operations.

3. Day Placement and Cooperative Funding Program Support (Day Placements): Support implementation and continuous improvement of day placement and cooperative funding activities through application review, technical assistance, monitoring support, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and resource development. Provide subject-matter expertise related to cooperative funding requirements, award lifecycles, and program implementation to support effective statewide service delivery.

Residential Program Support and Reintegration Initiatives (Residential Placements): Support implementation and continuous improvement of residential program activities through application review, technical assistance, monitoring support, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and resource development. Provide subject-matter expertise regarding behavioral supports, noneducational funding opportunities, and strategies that support successful student transitions and reintegration into less restrictive educational settings.

4. Stakeholder Technical Assistance and Customer Support: Provide individualized technical assistance, consultation, and customer support to LEAs, ESCs, families, residential providers, and other stakeholders regarding day and residential placements, focused monitoring, High-Cost Fund programs, APEX processes, and related special education requirements. Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, respond to complex inquiries, develop technical resources and guidance, and support targeted presentations, meetings, and workgroups as necessary.

5. Policy, Fiscal, Grant, and Program Administration: Support development and implementation of policies, procedures, guidance documents, fiscal processes, grant-related activities, High-Cost Fund administration, and APEX system improvements associated with day and residential placement programs. Evaluate program effectiveness, monitor deliverables, recommend improvements, and support administration of agency resources to ensure effective statewide implementation of assigned programs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

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

Experience: At least five (¿5) years of experience in ¿providing services to high-need students with disabilities in a school setting

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
• State agency, school district administration, or ESC experience is preferred
• Knowledge of: Federal and state laws, regulations, and policies related to special education; programs and services for students with disabilities, including day and residential placement programs; grant administration principles; monitoring and continuous improvement processes; and applicable agency systems and processes.
• Skill in: Building collaborative relationships; providing consultative services and technical assistance to diverse stakeholders; analyzing and interpreting data; problem-solving; project management; developing guidance and resources; facilitating stakeholder engagement activities; and using computers and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to: Plan, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate program activities; manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; develop and implement policies, procedures, and technical guidance; provide customer support and technical assistance related to day and residential placements, High Cost Fund programs, focused monitoring activities, and online application systems; and exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making.
• Sound professional judgment and strong decision-making skills with the ability to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to produce high-quality work in a dynamic environment.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet established timelines.
• Ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and synthesize complex information to support effective decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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 (MEP) will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To claim Military Employment Preference, applicants must:

• Select the applicable Military Employment Preference category in the employment application.
• Upload supporting documentation verifying eligibility in the Attachments section of the application before submitting the application.

Important: Self-identifying as eligible for Military Employment Preference does not by itself establish eligibility. Supporting documentation is required for TEA to verify eligibility before Military Employment Preference can be applied during the selection process. Applicants who do not submit sufficient documentation may not be considered eligible for Military Employment Preference. This requirement is consistent with TEA's Military Employment Preference procedures.

For information about eligibility requirements, required supporting documentation, and instructions for claiming Military Employment Preference, please review the Military Employment Preference page, which outlines eligible categories, documentation requirements, and the eligibility verification process.

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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