Senior Investigator (Investigator VII)

Senior Investigator (Investigator VII)(00051874)

Organization

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location

Texas-Austin

Work Locations

Texas Education Agency1701 NORTH CONGRESS AVENUEAustin78701

Business and Financial Operations

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-timeStandard Hours Per Week : 40.00

Travel

Yes, 10 % of the TimeState Job Code : 1356Salary Admin Plan : BGrade : 24

Salary (Pay Basis)

5,425.33-6,997.86(Monthly)

Number of Openings

Overtime Status

Exempt

Job Posting

Aug 19, 2025, 1 : 33 : 55 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 of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

The Texas State Auditor’s Office (SAO) is updating certain job classification titles for the new biennium and TEA is working to align identified titles to the new State Position Classification Plan. In FY26, the state classification title of Investigator VII will be updated to Investigator VI. This administrative change will not impact the compensation classification, duties, or responsibilities of this position in any way.

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.

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

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS :

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 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 "" 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.