Special Education Complaints Manager (Manager IV)

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 Special Education Complaints manager (manager) role is part of the leadership team within the Special Education Dispute Resolution, Complaints, and Intensive Monitoring unit in the Special Populations General Supervision and Monitoring Division within the Office of Special Populations and Monitoring. The manager will lead the supervision and oversight of federal special education complaints.

The manager will oversee a team of special education complaints investigators. The manager will administer and oversee responses to public information requests made to the complaint's unit. The manager will oversee the development and implementation of data tracking systems focusing on outcomes and continuous improvement and will report findings to stakeholders.

The manager will work with the technical assistance team in special education programs as well as the review and support team to align activities and to develop resources and supports to further grow the work, support the development of relevant technical assistance, guidance, and information to the field on how LEAs should implement the requirements of IDEA.

The manager will present to external stakeholders on purpose, outcomes, and processes related to special education complaints and will support data analysis for special education complaints. The manager will coordinate with other TEA staff to ensure alignment and improvement of processes for special education complaints.

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

Please note that a resume, cover letter, and short answers 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. General Supervision: Provides leadership and oversight for staff completion of investigations, reporting, and reviews and determinations of allegations related to IDEA, and support LEAs in implementing requirements associated with the IDEA.

2. Product Development and Adoption: Leads the team in the development and implementation of program guidelines, procedures, and policies; ensuring LEA and agency compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Develops and implements techniques to effectively monitor implementation by team members.  

3. Reporting and Data sharing: Manages the collection, maintenance, review, analysis, preparation and reporting of the data and evidence collected through the complaints review and investigation processes.

4. Technical Expertise and leadership: Provides in-depth analysis and technical guidance regarding the determination of compliance with, and the implementation of IDEA, as well as all related applicable Federal and state statutes for students with disabilities.

5. Supervision and talent management: Champions the recruitment, retention, and development, of staff members in the division through the strong management and leadership of direct reports, support of leadership team, and engagement in office-wide continuous improvement initiatives on workplace culture, environment, and employee engagement priorities.
 

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university 
• Degree field(s): Special Education, School Administration, Law    
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in special education on the campus, district, ESC, or state level required

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 
• Experience with complaint resolution policies, conflict and dispute resolution procedures, or compliance monitoring, preferred
• In-depth knowledge of the special education complaints process preferred
• Ability to interpret and explain statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning special education
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively engage in a collaborative, results – oriented team environment
• Extensive problem-solving skills that result in identifying challenges, gathering, and analyzing facts, evaluating alternatives, and implementing best-fit solutions
• Ability to work well under pressure making informed decisions and remaining calm under difficult situations
• Ability to develop others through coaching, modeling, and providing feedback on performance
• Strong long-term planning and project management skills; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high-quality work in a dynamic environment
• Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize, and analyze
• Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team 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.