Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) Spanish Language Specialist (Education Specialist IV) - Internal Vacancy

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.

This is a 5-day internal posting.  We are only accepting applications from current Texas Education Agency (TEA) employees. External applicants will not be considered.  

Position Overview: The TEA Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) team plans and executes reviews to identify high quality instructional materials, supports publishers engaged in the review process, and prepares and publishes reports and other information to support districts in making local adoption decisions.

The Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) Specialist serves as a key individual contributor within the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) Team, part of the Division of District Operations, Technology, and Sustainability Supports (DOTSS) in the Office of School Programs. This role reports to the Deputy Director of IMRA.

The IMRA Specialist executes processes to ensure fidelity of instructional materials reviews to supply the State Board of Education (SBOE) with detailed information to inform approval decisions and provides technical assistance to local education agencies, publishers, and other stakeholders. This role also supports the IMRA team by managing publisher requests to update content or substitute new editions, developing and updating procedures and manuals, responding to requests for information, and providing input on key IMRA resources. The IMRA Specialist works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.  

Please note that a resume 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. IMRA Operations: Execute the strategy and refinement of the IMRA process to ensure alignment with agency goals, statutory requirements, and instructional quality standards, including design, implementation, and continuous improvement of IMRA processes, tools, and protocols; execution of instructional materials reviews, including reviewer recruitment, training, logistics, and evaluation quality assurance; and analyzing data and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for process innovation and increased efficiency.
2. Cross Functional Collaboration, Communication, and Stakeholder Management: Communicate and collaborate with a wide array of cross functional internal and external teams (LEAs, ESCs, curriculum standards and student supports, assessment, open education resources, grants, IT, finance, communication, programs etc.) to resolve challenges and build alignment. This entails building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders to foster effective cross-functional communication and collaboration. This includes participation in and presentation in multiple cross functional meetings, project planning & tracking, and supporting LEA adoption of and publisher creation of HQIM.
3. Technical Support, Quality Assurance, and Compliance Verification: Manage the intake, tracking, and verification of instructional materials submitted by publishers and school systems in response to the Request for Instructional Materials (RFIM), assist current and prospective publishers with IMRA-related inquiries, and support users of the standards-alignment dashboard and other relevant tools.
4. Website Management: Coordinate with the Creative Services team to optimize content on IMRA-related webpages, ensure content accuracy and relevance, and maximize traffic.
5. Spanish Language Support for IMRA Process: Provide specialized support in Spanish language interpretation and analysis to ensure accurate and culturally responsive implementation of the IMRA process including assisting in the creation, review, and refinement of Spanish breakout documents; interpreting and analyzing Spanish-language instructional materials submissions; advising on linguistic nuances unique to Spanish that may impact standards alignment (particularly in foundational literacy), rubric application, or instructional quality; collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure linguistically appropriate evaluation of Spanish materials; and supporting Spanish-speaking stakeholders with technical assistance and guidance related to IMRA processes and tools.
 

• Minimum Qualifications
• • Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• • Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in K–12 education or curriculum development, project management, and/or K–12 publishing 
• • Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience
• • Language: Native or near native fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken) is 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 
• • Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the IMRA process
• • Skill in project management, including planning, tracking, and risk identification
• • Proficiency in Smartsheet, Microsoft Excel, and other project management or data analysis tools
• • Ability to analyze complex information, synthesize findings, and develop actionable plans
• • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences
• • Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and build strong stakeholder relationships
• • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and work independently with limited supervision
• • Ability to identify project risks and gaps, to prepare reports

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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