Monitoring, Review, and Support Education Specialist (Education Specialist IV)

Job 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.

About the Office of Special Populations and Student Supports

The OSPSS has the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the TEC, TAC, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, monitoring programs that receive federal and state funds, and funding technical assistance efforts through discretionary grants.

Included in these responsibilities is the disbursement of IDEA-B funds through grants and reimbursement programs to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Educational Service Centers (ESCs), and other entities.

The OSPSS disperses monies to reimburse approved direct and excess costs experienced by LEAs, fund grants or contracts to ESCS, and partners that provide technical support services, supports, and training to support TEA in the implementation of and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.

Position Overview

The Monitoring, Review, and Support Education Specialist who will support a statewide culture that assumes high expectations for all students, including those receiving special education services.

This position will provide ongoing review and support of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in their effective implementation of their requirements related to the applicable Texas Education Codes (TEC), Texas Administrative Codes (TAC), and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA).

This position also performs highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance work in assisting LEAs to correct issues of noncompliance related to the SBOE dyslexia program and to improve outcomes for students served by special education.

Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing major agency program(s); while also providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and / or the public.

May train, lead, assign, and / or prioritize the work of others; while working under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Selected candidates will possess high levels of knowledge of federal, state special education and dyslexia laws. Selected candidates will have demonstrable experience delivering high-quality instruction to students served by special education.

In addition to this requirement selected candidates will possess knowledge of dyslexia monitoring through programs approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE).

This position resides in the Special Populations General Supervision and Monitoring division within the Office of Special Populations & Student Supports (OSPSS.

Travel for this role is anticipated to be 50% of full-time responsibilities.

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. Technical Assistance Support : serves as a liaison to LEAs and technical assistance providers to facilitate access to appropriate technical assistance to address identified areas of need regarding outcomes for students served by special education and under dyslexia regulations

2. Product Development : prepares and reviews documentation and reports, interviews stakeholders, observes classrooms and decision-making meetings to determine program effectiveness.

Performs analysis related to program and compliance review of LEAs in their implementation of state and federal special education law and dyslexia regulations

3. Monitoring and Review : develops, collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares materials in preparation for desk audits and on-site monitoring visits

4. General Supervision : Oversees and supports LEAs in their implementation of requirements associated with the IDEA and state regulations including dyslexia, to support continuous improvement and positive outcomes for students with disabilities and compliance with special education policies and procedures, statutes, and rules;

and takes corrective action(s) as needed

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications :

• Education : Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience : At least four (4) years of experience in working with students with disabilities as a special education teacher and / or related service provider

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
• A desire to self-reflect, give / receive feedback, and continuously improve
• Understanding of federal and state special education law
• Knowledge of state dyslexia laws including the SBOE Dyslexia Handbook
• Knowledge of effective methods for completing compliance review
• Familiarity with effective instruction and service provision for students with disabilities
• Experience in identifying measures or indicators of special education program performance
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to operate computers and applicable software
• Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize, and analyze
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedure

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.

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 " redacted " and " redacted " to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and / or hiring division regarding your candidacy.