Description

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) is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of students across Texas. By investigating allegations of misconduct involving educators and school employees, EID plays a vital role in maintaining a secure and trustworthy learning environment. The division is structured into two primary units: Intake and Investigations. 

The EID Intake Unit ensures school system compliance with child abuse reporting requirements, reviews misconduct reports, conducts preliminary reviews, tracks criminal matters, and evaluates referrals for completeness and accuracy. This unit makes recommendations for formal investigations in strict accordance with SBEC and agency policy, always prioritizing student safety. The EID Investigations Unit carries out formal investigations into alleged misconduct by SBEC-certified educators and non-certified school employees. It upholds due process in every case, reinforcing the division’s commitment to student protection and the integrity of Texas schools. 

The Senior Investigators are responsible for conducting investigations that support the mission of the OG, TEA, and SBEC. These investigations may be conducted virtually or onsite, depending on the assignment.  Senior Investigators may take a lead role in coordinating with the TEA Special Investigations Division (SID), other TEA divisions, and external agencies. They may also be directed to initiate investigations immediately and develop investigation plans based on limited initial information Senior Investigators are technical experts in their field, demonstrating a superior level of understanding in the principles and techniques associated with investigating allegations of misconduct. This role involves effectively overseeing and conducting complex investigations, preparing written recommendations, collaborating across divisions, delivering presentations, training staff on best practices, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts. When needed, the Investigator VII may also train, lead, assign, or prioritize the work of others.

Salary – $5,425.33 to $6,997.86 (monthly)

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 fingerprinting and 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. Investigations: leads preliminary reviews and conducts highly advanced, senior-level, and high-profile investigations into reports and complaints involving child abuse, solicitation, educator misconduct, ethics violations, and other compliance issues under the authority of SBEC or the Commissioner of Education;  collects and evaluates evidence, interviews witnesses, and collaborates with internal and external partners to reach findings in alignment with investigative plans, division protocols, priorities, and time standards 
2. Analysis and Recommendation: analyzes information from initial complaints and investigations to assess the relevance and significance of facts in relation to the allegations; applies agency, state, and federal policies to identify red flags, assess risk, and make informed recommendations for case resolution; utilizes appropriate analytical tools and techniques;  demonstrates exemplary technical skills and a deep contextual understanding of allegations; identifies multiple sources of information; assesses overarching risks to student safety and potential culpability at various levels within a school system 
3. Documentation, Report Writing, and Presentations: accurately documents the collection of information and key milestones throughout the investigative process; synthesizes findings into organized, professional, and comprehensive reports, case briefings, and referrals that clearly communicate evidence-based findings and provide essential context for stakeholders; develops high-quality presentations for senior agency leadership and the Commissioner as appropriate; and trains staff on best practices in investigations and report writing as needed 
4. Testimony and Litigation Support: provides testimony and presents evidence and analysis in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings to support enforcement and compliance actions; prepares professional exhibits and offers litigation support to legal staff as needed; trains staff on best practices for delivering testimony and supporting the litigation process as needed 
5. Investigative Operations: performs special projects to support division operations; collaborates with colleagues, legal staff, and external agencies to strengthen investigative outcomes, uphold accountability, and maintain high standards in Texas public education; serves as a subject matter expert, provides strategic oversight of cases, and ensures workflow continuity and operational efficiency in a supervisor capacity on occasion.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least five [5] years of experience in performing background checks, reviewing allegations of misconduct, or conducting investigations relating to child abuse.
• 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 misconduct, criminal and administrative investigations, and confidentiality, including the Tx Penal Code, Tx Edu. Code, Tx Fam. Code, Tx Admin Code, and FERPA.
• Skilled in investigating allegations of child abuse, allegations of financial fraud, and license violations such as SBEC testing, cheating and manipulation of the SBEC certification process.
• Experience reviewing information relating to criminal and administrative investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interview witnesses and accused individuals regarding alleged acts of misconduct.
• Aptitude for gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources, presenting the information in detailed, factual, concise, and professionally written reports, and making sound recommendations by required deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in providing guidance and/or training to staff on best practices in investigative or related functions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills that establish and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, law enforcement and court personnel as well as the agency's Legal staff and other TEA divisions.
• 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.
• Experienced in coordinating with and maintaining effective working relationships with school districts, DFPS and law enforcement to ensure thorough investigative outcomes, preferred.