Deputy Director, Charter School Portfolio (Director I)

Texas Education Agency · United States

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 mission of the Division of Charter School Authorizing is to provide students and families with access to high-quality, best-fit schools that help unlock the full potential of every student. The Division does this through the authorization and oversight of innovative, high-quality charter schools.

The Deputy Director, Charter School Portfolio oversees the Divisions work related to charter school performance, amendments, renewal, revocation, governance, and operator engagement. They will lead a team of up to two Portfolio Coordinators and use data, including the Charter School Performance Framework to make strategic decisions about growth, expansion, renewal, revocation and tiered monitoring. This role provides highly consultative and technical assistance work. The Deputy Director, Charter School Portfolio works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position will report to the Director of Charter School Authorizing.

This position requires up to 10% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

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 - Charter Amendment Processes and Recommendations:

Lead, manage, and execute the charter school expansion and non-expansion amendment review processes that enables timely, thoughtful, and accurate processing and determination of amendments that best serve Texas students. Develops initial recommendations for executive leadership related to charter amendments. Communicates high stakes decisions to superintendents and provides consultative supports to schools seeking charter amendments.

2 - Charter Renewal, Revocation, and Closure Processes:

Evaluate, analyze, and track charter school performance data in order to implement high-quality renewal and revocation procedures annually. Create initial recommendations for charter renewal and closure for executive leadership consideration. Develop and execute revocation and closure processes that are proactive and transparent to ensure students have access to high-quality options, assets are protected and appropriately distributed, and clear communication is delivered to internal and external stakeholders in collaboration with the Office of Governance. Structure, organize and implement cross-functional systems to communicate charter closures to the agency. Communicate high-stakes decisions to school teams with clarity and tact.

3 - Operator Engagement:

Develop, manage, and execute a strategy for charter school operator engagement regarding portfolio processes including future rule revisions, Charter School Performance Framework updates, legislative and policy updates, and other information and portfolio functions as needed. Build strong relationships with the field through consistent communication systems and customer service. Plans and facilitates quarterly Operator Council sessions, monthly newsletter, and regularly provides consultative supports to charter schools. Coordinate across the agency to share updates related to charter schools. These opportunities will facilitate input from the field and are connected to best practices that provide charter school operators and boards with clear expectations, fact-based decision making and oversight, and timely feedback while ensuring charter autonomy.

4 - Charter School Performance Framework and Data Reporting:

Lead, manage and execute the creation and dissemination of the annual Charter School Performance Framework, Charter School Waitlist, Summary of Awards and Closures, Authorizing Summary as well as keep all state agency databases up to date with charter school data and records. Routinely utilizes this data to inform decision-makings and policy including updates for rule-making related to charter schools. Oversee and revise the governance reporting to allow for more accurate reporting of governance data, a streamlined and efficient method that charter schools can use to report governance information, and a clear plan for using the governance information collected to improve charter governance in the portfolio.

5 - Team Supervision:

Build, lead, and manage a high quality, detailed-oriented team that embraces innovation, charter school authorizing best practices, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in education, including three (3) years of required supervisory or leadership experience
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience

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
• Strong preference for candidates with at least five (5) years of experience working in a leadership position within a school district or charter school
• Knowledge of Texas charter school law and policy and charter school authorizing best practices (preferred)
• Excellent professional written and communication skills with experience creating and proofing professional written work (preferred)
• Experience in delivering content and presentations to large audiences
• Ability to develop organizational strategy, set goals, and monitor progress toward goals
• Excellent project management skills, including project planning and ability to consistently hit deadlines
• Excellent PowerPoint and memo development and delivery skills
• Experience creating, updating, and maintaining Excel spreadsheets; word and adobe documents
• Strong prioritization, time management and organizational skills with capability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and solve work-related problems
• A strong customer-service mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve division and agency goals

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.

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.

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

• 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 and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.