School Improvement Specialist

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.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The specialist performs highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance work for state and federal accountability, interventions, and support. This position reports to a Regional School Improvement Manager. The school improvement specialist works to ensure implementation of school improvement plans lead to improved student outcomes for students. The specialist works directly with improving the performance of low-performing schools across the state to ensure all students in Texas graduate college and/or career-ready. 

Please note that a resume is a required attachment for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additionally, please be sure to respond to the short answer prompts found in the supplemental questions. These responses should be added in a separate Word or PDF document in the attachments section of the application.

Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Critically evaluate and provide feedback on all submitted plans (targeted improvement and turnaround plans and mid-year funding reports) for alignment to the Effective Schools Framework (ESF) and/or TEA guidance.
• Communicate and influence leaders by providing effective feedback related to targeted improvement and turnaround plans that result in schools taking action toward school improvement.
• Provide high-quality customer service to external stakeholders (ESCs, DCSIs and other primary campus contacts (principals, SSOs, etc.)) by providing valuable feedback, guidance, and support in navigating the school improvement process.
• Ensure approved targeted improvement and turnaround plans result in achievement of school accountability scores.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Advanced degree with major course work in public education is preferred.

Experience: At least (4) years of experience in working in school districts, educations service centers, university settings and/or with statewide initiatives. 

Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.
 
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have a valid certification in public education
• Mid-management, Principal, or Administrator certification preferred
• Demonstrate an understanding of the continuous school improvement process that leads to effective school turnaround including instructional leadership, school culture, and change management
• Demonstrate an understanding of state and federal accountability system and the necessary actions and measurable progress required to meet state standards
• Proficient in analyzing improvement and turnaround plans and providing feedback, setting clear expectations, and holding others accountable for performance 
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve
• Adept in long-term planning and project management, including establishing outcomes, determining evaluative measures, and tracking progress; analytical thinking; conceptual thinking; root cause analysis based on data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills needed.
• Must possess outstanding leadership and personal relations skills including the ability to impact and influence others to implement change
• Thrives in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
• Ability to set clear expectations and hold others accountable for performance

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the veteran’s preference.

Additional Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) information can be accessed here.

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.

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.