Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Deputy Director of Assessment Initiatives (Director I) (00051098)

Organization

: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location

: Texas-Austin

Work Locations

:

Texas Education Agency

1701 NORTH CONGRESS AVENUE

Austin 78701

Job

: Management

Employee Status

: Regular

Schedule

: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Travel

: Yes, 10 % of the Time

State Job Code: 1620

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 26

Salary (Pay Basis)

: 6,377.50 - 8,581.66 (Monthly)

Number of Openings

: 1

Overtime Status

: Exempt

Job Posting

: Jul 14, 2025, 3:36:29 PM

Closing Date

: Ongoing

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.

Position Overview: As part of the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) Assessment Division, the Deputy Director of Assessment Initiatives provides direction for strategic initiatives aligned with the division’s strategic plan. This role will manage existing optional assessment programs and lead the launch and management of new initiatives or pilot programs by creating project plans, setting goals and metrics, identifying and mitigating potential risks, and developing and overseeing communication plans, trainings, and change management efforts. The Director will regularly collaborate across multiple internal and external stakeholder groups, and work to strengthen relationships with district and campus leaders to gather feedback to continuously improve assessment programs to best meet the needs of Texas students. This role works with partners across the division and TEA to align metric outputs to opportunities for improvement.

The director performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This role reports to the Principal Director of Strategy, Operations, & Reporting.

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. Program Management of Assessment Initiatives: Lead strategic direction of assessment initiatives (e.g., STAAR Interim Assessments) by collaborating with the Assessment Development division on product design, developing and executing implementation plans, managing vendors, leading district communication and change management efforts, managing risk, and overseeing budget and operations of those programs.

2. Assessment Program Development and Strategic Improvement: Develop and manage new strategic initiatives to implement legislative mandates and/or projects and pilots that will further the agency’s strategic plan, including but not limited to project management, quantitative and qualitative research, developing communication, training LEAs, and establishing best practices for the use of assessment data.

3. Data Analysis and Presentation: Collect, track, and analyze key performance indicators (i.e., through feedback loops), evaluate data to understand strategic trends, synthesize learnings to determine effectiveness of operations, and communicate trends and outcomes to senior stakeholders and others. Recommend process and strategy improvements in and across divisions and partner with stakeholder groups to enact recommendations related to assessment initiatives.

4. Team Management and Supervision: Effectively lead and manage high-performing team member(s).

5. Other Duties as Assigned: If needed, support with the invoicing process of assessment contracts, budget creation, and financial decision-making through scenario modeling.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least (5) years of experience in strategy, program management, public education, and/or related work
• 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
• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification must be obtained within the first six (6) months of employment
• Prior people management and budget management experience preferred
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high quality work in a dynamic environment
• Highly organized; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical with the ability to structure ambiguity into actionable, value-added plans
• Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment
• A track record of performance and successful implementation across multiple concurrent projects
• Fast learner who thrives in a high-performing environment
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

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 "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" 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.

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