Senior Policy Advisor, Special Populations and Student Supports (Director VI)

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.

Position Overview

The Senior Policy Advisor, Special Populations and Student Supports, serves as a strategic integral member of the Deputy Commissioner’s Executive Cabinet in the Office of Special Populations and Student Supports, providing high-level policy leadership, analysis, and coordination on issues affecting students with disabilities and other at-risk student populations. This position is responsible for leading complex policy development and implementation related to public education law, statute, regulations, agency rules, and legislative matters, with a particular emphasis on special education and student populations such as students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, military-connected students, emergent bilingual students, and other student groups with diverse learning needs.

This role requires a seasoned policy professional with deep knowledge of public education systems and legal frameworks, exceptional writing and analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a high-profile executive environment. The Senior Policy Advisor must be able to navigate complex and sensitive issues, anticipate policy implications, build cross-functional alignment, and serve as a trusted advisor to agency leadership. The position also requires extensive collaboration with internal agency divisions and external stakeholders, including legislative staff, advocates, families, school systems, and other partners.

As business needs evolve, the responsibilities and focus of this role may shift. This role calls for adaptability and a willingness to embrace change, with the assurance that any adjustments will remain within the scope of the job classification.

Flexible work location in Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and cover letter 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. Lead High-Level Policy Development and Analysis: Serve as the office’s lead strategist and advisor on complex education policy matters affecting students with disabilities and other special populations. Conduct in-depth analysis of state and federal statute, regulations, rulemaking, guidance, and policy proposals to inform executive decision-making. Identify policy opportunities, risks, and implications for the agency, school systems, and students.
Key responsibilities include:
•Analyzing proposed legislation, rule changes, and policy initiatives
•Developing policy recommendations for agency leadership
•Interpreting legal and regulatory requirements for operational and strategic application
•Anticipating downstream implementation challenges and unintended consequences

2. Draft and Review Policy, Legislative, and Executive-Level Written Products, Analyses, and Estimates: Produce and oversee the development of high-quality written materials that support the Deputy Commissioner and agency leadership in decision-making, communication, and stakeholder engagement. This includes policy memos, legislative tracking and analyses, cost estimates, briefing materials, formal correspondence, talking points, presentations, testimony support, issue papers, and draft statutory or regulatory language.
Key responsibilities include:
•Drafting and editing clear, persuasive, and analytically rigorous policy documents
•Preparing executive briefings for leadership on complex or high-stakes issues
•Supporting bill analysis, legislative tracking, cost estimate development, and drafting of policy-related legislative language
•Ensuring consistency, precision, and legal/policy accuracy across written materials

3. Coordinate Cross-Agency and Cross-Functional Policy Work: Lead and facilitate policy coordination across divisions, offices, and leadership teams to ensure alignment on matters affecting special populations and student supports. Serve as a central point of integration for policy work that intersects with legal, programmatic, operational, accountability, finance, or legislative functions.
Key responsibilities include:
•Managing complex, cross-functional policy initiatives from development through implementation
•Convening internal stakeholders to build alignment and resolve issues
•Translating policy direction into actionable next steps for internal partners
•Monitoring implementation progress and elevating barriers, risks, or decision points

4. Build and Manage Strategic External Relationships: Represent the office in collaboration with legislative staff, advocacy organizations, education partners, families, and other external stakeholders. Engage diplomatically and effectively with diverse audiences on sensitive and complex policy matters, while maintaining the agency’s strategic priorities and institutional credibility.
Key responsibilities include:
•Serving as a senior liaison on policy issues with legislative and external partners
•Preparing the Deputy Commissioner for stakeholder meetings and policy discussions
•Synthesizing external feedback and stakeholder perspectives into actionable recommendations
•Supporting relationship management in politically sensitive or high-visibility contexts

5. Advise Executive Leadership, Support Strategic Decision-Making, and Team Supervision and Management: Function as a trusted advisor to the Deputy Commissioner on daily policy matters, strategic priorities, emerging issues, and executive-level communications. Help manage the policy portfolio of the office by prioritizing work, framing decisions, and ensuring the Deputy Commissioner is positioned with the information and analysis needed to lead effectively. Provide strong leadership for employee engagement and establish clear expectations for continuous improvement and accountability. Implement performance management practices that include setting measurable goals, monitoring progress, providing regular feedback, and conducting evaluations to ensure staff effectiveness and growth.
Key responsibilities include:
•Advising on policy strategy, sequencing, and executive positioning
•Identifying urgent issues and triaging competing priorities
•Preparing concise decision memos, briefing documents, and strategic recommendations
•Supporting the overall effectiveness of the office through sound judgment, discretion, and responsiveness
•Support the development and retention of staff through coaching, professional development, and succession planning, fostering a culture that prioritizes communication, inclusivity, and job satisfaction
 

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university 
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of experience in public education policy, including interpretation and of state and federal statute, rules, regulations, and policy guidance 
• 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 
• Extensive knowledge of [KO4.1] education policy, legislative affairs, governmental relations, legal/regulatory analysis, or a closely related area
• Demonstrated expertise in policy issues related to students with disabilities and/or other special populations, such as at-risk students, students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, military-connected students, emergent bilingual students, or similarly situated student groups
• Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce concise, accurate, executive-level policy materials
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority assignments in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive issues with professionalism and discretion

The strongest candidates will also bring:
• Advanced degree in law, public policy, education, public administration, or a related field
• Deep knowledge of special education law and policy, including IDEA, Section 504, state special education frameworks, and associated implementation issues
• Experience in a state education agency, legislature, governor’s office, legislative office, congressional office, school system, or other governmental/public-sector setting
• Experience drafting or analyzing legislation, rulemaking, or formal policy guidance
• Familiarity with cross-cutting policy issues affecting special populations, including accountability, school finance, compliance, student supports, and interagency coordination
• Demonstrated success influencing policy and building consensus across complex organizations and stakeholder groups
• Strong strategic thinking skills, including the ability to connect policy detail to broader agency, political, and implementation considerations
• Ability to communicate complex legal or policy concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of operating with a high degree of independence in an executive office environment
 

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.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

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 "[email protected]" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.