Investigator 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 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 VI will be updated to Investigator V. This administrative change will not impact the compensation classification, duties, or responsibilities of this position in any way. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Office of Governance (OG) strives to proactively support school systems, keep students safe, and uphold Texas education law with integrity, objectivity, and excellence. We engage with local education agencies (LEAs) to promote best practices through two core workstreams: Field Support and Compliance & Investigations. By fostering collaboration across the agency and engaging directly in the field, we advance our vision of creating a safe school environment and excellent education for every Texas public school student.

Within the OG, the Educator Investigations Division (EID) plays a critical role protecting students by investigating allegations of misconduct involving educators and school employees. Acting on behalf of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Commissioner of Education, EID ensures that Texas schools remain safe, supportive places for students to learn and grow.

EID is organized into two specialized units: Intake and Investigations. The Intake Unit is the first line of review, evaluating reports of misconduct, conducting preliminary assessments, and determining whether cases warrant formal investigation while maintaining a strong focus on student safety and adherence to policy. The investigations unit takes on formal investigations, ensuring due process and upholding the integrity of the education profession.  

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented investigator to join our team. In this role, you’ll conduct advanced-level reviews and investigations, manage assigned cases, and contribute to written findings and formal hearings. You’ll work with a high degree of independence and be encouraged to reflect critically on your work, helping to foster a culture of continuous improvement. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a direct impact on student safety and educator accountability across Texas.

The Investigator may work a hybrid schedule.

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 complex investigations into reports and complaints involving educator misconduct, including child abuse, solicitation, educator misconduct, ethics violations, and other compliance concerns under the authority of SBEC or the Commissioner of Education;  collects and evaluates evidence, interviews witnesses, and collaborates with internal and external partners to develop findings in alignment with investigative plans, division protocols, and established timelines; conducts investigations virtually or onsite, depending on the nature of the case
2. Analysis and Recommendation: critically analyzes information from initial complaints and investigative findings to assess the relevance and impact of facts related to alleged misconduct; applies state, federal and agency policies to identify risk factors, flag potential violations, and make informed recommendations for case resolution; utilizes appropriate analytical techniques and tools to support sound decision making
3. Documentation, Report Writing, and Presentation: maintains thorough and accurate documentation of investigative activities, ensuring all milestones and evidence are clearly recorded; prepares professional, well-organized reports, case briefings, and referrals that clearly communicate findings and provide necessary context for internal and external stakeholders; adheres to division standards for documentation and presentation to ensure clarity, consistency, and professionalism 
4. Testimony and Litigation Support: provides testimony and presents evidence in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings to support enforcement and compliance actions; develops clear and compelling exhibits and offers litigation support to legal teams, as needed, ensuring alignment with case strategy and evidentiary standards 
5. Investigative Operations: supports division operations by contributing to special projects; collaborates with colleagues, legal staff, and external agencies to enhance investigative outcomes, promote accountability, and uphold high standards in Texas public education

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in conducting background checks, reviewing allegations of misconduct, or conducting investigations.
• 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.
• Possess working knowledge and the ability to explain state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to child abuse and solicitation, misconduct, fraud, waste, and abuse, criminal violations, and confidentiality, including Texas Penal Code, Texas Education Code, Texas Family Code, Texas Administrative Code.
• Must pass a DPS Criminal Background Check to access criminal history.
• Have experience conducting investigations and complaint reviews according to defined procedures and time standards.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to and effectively engage with diverse individuals and stakeholders.  
• Exhibit superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment, ability to present to senior-level leadership, and testify effectively in hearings.   
• Possess extensive problem-solving skills that result in identifying challenges, gathering and analyzing facts, evaluating alternatives, and implementing best-fit solutions.   
• Display excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple competing projects or priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to set individual objectives and complete projects.
• Experience reviewing allegations of abuse, solicitation, or any violations impacting students is preferred.
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certifications preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish speaker preferred.     
• Show a desire to self-reflect, give and receive feedback, and continuously improve. 
• Willingness to participate in the agency’s culture of continuous improvement and espouse its core values.

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.