Assistant Director of State Funding (Director II) - 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 of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

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

POSITION OVERVIEW:
This Assistant Director of State Funding reports to the Director of the State Funding, Forecasting, and Fiscal Analysis and performs advanced managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the State Funding team, which is responsible for administering the Foundation School Program (FSP) and Bond Guarantee Program. The FSP determines the amount of state and local funding due to school districts under Texas school finance law and provides the state share of this funding to districts. The division also produces reports and other data related to school finance. This position assigns and supervises the work of two managers, and works closely with leadership, analysts, programmers, and stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient program implementation in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

The Assistant Director of State Funding may work a hybrid schedule.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, 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. Leadership and Staff Development: leads, supervises, and develops high-performing State Funding operations and Facilities teams and effectively plans for succession vulnerabilities by fostering employee growth and leveraging internal promotional pathways when appropriate 
2. Compliance and Transparency: applies funding formulas used to distribute money to school districts in accordance with the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code (implementing changes to formulas or rules as necessary) and overseeing the development and maintenance of associated systems, procedures, and web content; this includes the accuracy and reliability of the SOF reports and payment ledgers
3. Strategy and Process Improvements: collaborates with the Director of State Funding, Forecasting and Fiscal Analysis, team leaders and analysts within the division, and information technology staff on enhancements to the FSP payment system, coordinating development of system requirements, and prioritizing system changes
4. Stakeholder Engagement: effectively collaborates within the division, across the agency and with external agencies/stakeholders on projects in support of the school finance system and related financial transactions, including representing the agency as needed at business meetings and conferences 
5. Leadership Support: assists with the preparation of FSP budget reconciliation and cash management activities between the agency, Legislative Budget Board, Comptroller’s office and the Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning; performs bill analysis and prepares supporting documentation for fiscal notes  that determine the cost of implementing school finance legislation

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree fields: Accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or a related field
• Experience: At least six [6] years of experience in the management and direction of a program relevant to the assignment. 
• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education 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
• Proven knowledge of relevant state laws and regulations, and principals of public administration and management
• Proven track record of exemplary management practices
• Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize and analyze data
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, independent, and creative thinker
• Effective project management and delegation skills and ability to adapt to and execute unexpected tasks; able to take direction, manage multiple projects at once, and meet deadlines
• A strong customer-service mindset with a focus on engaging both internal and external stakeholders, actively listening, and collaborating in a results-oriented team environment to solve problems
• Ability to interpret statutes and regulations, understand abstract concepts, and correlate facts, processes, and mathematical formulas.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to explain complex information to a variety of stakeholders
• Ability to develop and maintain productive and professional relationships with a diverse set of individuals and groups
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve 
• Highly skilled in using data analysis software including Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of FSP state funding system, allocation, and payment processes preferred
• Management of the FSP and experience working with school district administrators, elected officials, and other policymakers preferred 

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 "[email protected]" 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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