CAPPS
Division Director of Assessment (Director IV)
CAPPS, Austin, TX
Job 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.
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.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.
Position Overview: The Division Director of Assessment leads TEA's Student Assessment Division, including test administration and reporting, policy and publications, and strategy and operations. This role is responsible for flawless administration of valid, reliable assessments that ultimately provide parents, educators, and other stakeholders with actionable information and resources to support and improve student performance outcomes.
This role plays a critical role in helping to drive innovation and measurement methods used to define educational outcomes and support research-based instructional practices in Texas. This role will oversee assessment strategy and work that will support rigorous and aligned instruction for 5.5 million students in over 1,200 districts across Texas. The Division Director manages multiple teams that are responsible for leading the administration of more than 20 million tests across Texas, ensuring effective implementation of legislative requirements and rulemaking, developing and iterating upon value-added optional assessment resources for districts, and providing clear communications, trainings, and materials to stakeholders. This role is responsible for developing a strategic vision and plan for the Assessment division, creating the performance management structures to execute that plan, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
The Division Director immediately serves as a key leader and team supervisor within the agency and collaborates and interacts regularly with senior stakeholders within the agency and in the field. This role provides leadership, collaboration, and support in system performance and strategy development to the agency's Senior Leadership Team, the Office of School Programs' Senior Leadership team, legislators, districts, and other stakeholders in support of student outcomes.
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. Test Administration: Ensure high-quality, error-free statewide testing administration for all components of Texas Assessment Program; Ensure high-quality, error-free statewide testing results reporting for all components of Texas Assessment Program; Manage production of test administration materials, and oversee security for the assessment program; Develop effective communications, resources, and trainings to support flawless administrations of all components of the Texas Assessment Program; Continuously improve the annual assessment process and customer support systems through developing key partnerships and communications with external stakeholders, including trainings, webinars, and working groups
2. Policy, Compliance, and Contract and Budget Management: Ensure effective implementation of governor and legislative priorities, including the creation and adoption of high-quality administrative rules; Oversee financial planning, administrative operations, and budget for the Student Assessment Division; Plan and execute contracts within budget and with a high degree of operational effectiveness via strong vendor management
3. Communication and Support- Ensure excellent, proactive communication with all stakeholders, and provide exceptional support, value-added tools, and customer service to the field that drives student performance: Develop and maintain a suite of optional products, including interim assessments and a formative assessment resource to drive aligned instructional practices and effective evaluation of student learning; Provide clear and timely information regarding the assessment program and its benefits to stakeholders including updating the assessment website, providing regular newsletters and publications, presenting at conferences, providing in-person training opportunities, and delivering engaging media that gives insight to the assessment process; Develop and execute vision for TexasAssessment.gov and parent engagement; Develop training and communication to improve assessment literacy and support districts in developing and implementing a cohesive assessment strategy; Respond to legislative requests and other inquiries in a timely manner
4. Staff Management: Effectively manage a high-performing staff: Create the strategic plan and inform the strategic direction for the Assessment division; Manage the performance of the directors of the Test Administration, Strategy and Operations, and Policy & Publications; Develop and refine performance management structures and support the performance management of the 20+ employees in the Assessment Division
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of experience in the administration, management, and direction of assessment programs
• 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
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve
• Understanding of federal and state education law
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to operate computers and applicable software
• Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize, and analyze
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedure
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 "[redacted]" and "[redacted]" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.
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.
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.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.
Position Overview: The Division Director of Assessment leads TEA's Student Assessment Division, including test administration and reporting, policy and publications, and strategy and operations. This role is responsible for flawless administration of valid, reliable assessments that ultimately provide parents, educators, and other stakeholders with actionable information and resources to support and improve student performance outcomes.
This role plays a critical role in helping to drive innovation and measurement methods used to define educational outcomes and support research-based instructional practices in Texas. This role will oversee assessment strategy and work that will support rigorous and aligned instruction for 5.5 million students in over 1,200 districts across Texas. The Division Director manages multiple teams that are responsible for leading the administration of more than 20 million tests across Texas, ensuring effective implementation of legislative requirements and rulemaking, developing and iterating upon value-added optional assessment resources for districts, and providing clear communications, trainings, and materials to stakeholders. This role is responsible for developing a strategic vision and plan for the Assessment division, creating the performance management structures to execute that plan, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
The Division Director immediately serves as a key leader and team supervisor within the agency and collaborates and interacts regularly with senior stakeholders within the agency and in the field. This role provides leadership, collaboration, and support in system performance and strategy development to the agency's Senior Leadership Team, the Office of School Programs' Senior Leadership team, legislators, districts, and other stakeholders in support of student outcomes.
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. Test Administration: Ensure high-quality, error-free statewide testing administration for all components of Texas Assessment Program; Ensure high-quality, error-free statewide testing results reporting for all components of Texas Assessment Program; Manage production of test administration materials, and oversee security for the assessment program; Develop effective communications, resources, and trainings to support flawless administrations of all components of the Texas Assessment Program; Continuously improve the annual assessment process and customer support systems through developing key partnerships and communications with external stakeholders, including trainings, webinars, and working groups
2. Policy, Compliance, and Contract and Budget Management: Ensure effective implementation of governor and legislative priorities, including the creation and adoption of high-quality administrative rules; Oversee financial planning, administrative operations, and budget for the Student Assessment Division; Plan and execute contracts within budget and with a high degree of operational effectiveness via strong vendor management
3. Communication and Support- Ensure excellent, proactive communication with all stakeholders, and provide exceptional support, value-added tools, and customer service to the field that drives student performance: Develop and maintain a suite of optional products, including interim assessments and a formative assessment resource to drive aligned instructional practices and effective evaluation of student learning; Provide clear and timely information regarding the assessment program and its benefits to stakeholders including updating the assessment website, providing regular newsletters and publications, presenting at conferences, providing in-person training opportunities, and delivering engaging media that gives insight to the assessment process; Develop and execute vision for TexasAssessment.gov and parent engagement; Develop training and communication to improve assessment literacy and support districts in developing and implementing a cohesive assessment strategy; Respond to legislative requests and other inquiries in a timely manner
4. Staff Management: Effectively manage a high-performing staff: Create the strategic plan and inform the strategic direction for the Assessment division; Manage the performance of the directors of the Test Administration, Strategy and Operations, and Policy & Publications; Develop and refine performance management structures and support the performance management of the 20+ employees in the Assessment Division
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of experience in the administration, management, and direction of assessment programs
• 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
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve
• Understanding of federal and state education law
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to operate computers and applicable software
• Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize, and analyze
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedure
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 "[redacted]" and "[redacted]" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.