Texas Education Agency-posted 10 days ago
Full-time • Mid Level
Remote • Austin, TX
1-10 employees
Administration of Human Resource Programs

The Governmental Relations Division plays an important role in the support of TEA's legislatively required and requested activities. This position is critical to provide support to the GR Division and their support to the Legislature, Legislative Budget Board, Office of the Governor, and internal TEA staff. Facilitation of information is important if TEA is to achieve the state's strategic vision to ensure that the 5.4 million public school students in Texas are prepared for success in college, career, or the military. The Governmental Relations Project Manager position reports to the Deputy Director of Governmental Relations as part of a collaborative team overseen by the Chief of Governmental Relations. This role provides high-quality support for TEA's efforts to execute against the state's strategic priorities for public education. Experience working through a Legislative Session, managing fiscal note processes and analyzing policy is preferred to effectively understand and communicate the agency's programs. This role is designed for a dynamic project manager who thrives in fast-paced environments and excels at system-building, deliverable and timeline tracking, and cross-functional collaboration. The Governmental Relations Project Manager will serve as a key member of the team by managing important division projects - ensuring timely completion of deliverables. This position involves strong use of project management, system building, cross-functional coordination, policy analysis, data compilation, and presentation skills in the form of trainings in support of TEA's legislatively required and requested duties. This role centers on leading TEA's internal fiscal noting system, coordinating across divisions to ensure timely and accurate responses to legislative requests and agency needs. This position will monitor and manage project quality to ensure that project deliverables are acceptable and fulfill the terms of the project specifications as laid out by the Governmental Relations team. Knowledge of the education landscape in Texas, including the political education landscape, and strong communications skills are preferred. A knowledge of state legislative processes as well as agency programs is preferred. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. Please note that a resume and cover letter 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.

  • Manage Governmental Relations Projects: Manages Projects for Governmental Relations team and ensures timely completion of project deliverables. Utilize project management techniques and tools by tracking activities, ensuring project tasks are completed on time, monitoring and reporting deliverable progress, facilitating collaboration and communication to support project outcomes, continuously assessing and evaluating assigned projects to determine their impact, and suggesting new projects to promote positive project outcomes. Major project during Legislative Session, with some pre and post work, includes facilitating the agency's Fiscal Notes process - including reading, analyzing, and assigning bills, and monitoring program completion of requested fiscal notes. This includes creating and collaborating with agency budget team on new agency fiscal note process training and implementation. During non-session years, major projects include continuously improving Governmental Relations team trainings and tracking systems including Bill Implementation Tracker and the Legislative Briefing Book. Other projects - as assigned - throughout the year.
  • Establish, Maintain, and Utilize Relationships with Internal Agency and Legislative Staff: Acts as liaison between the Governmental Relations team and internal agency staff and with external parties, including legislative offices and education stakeholders. Serves as one of the GR liaisons between each TEA program area and the Legislature to ensure policymaking can be implemented per legislative and statutory intent. This includes developing familiarity with policies in those areas and their operational ramifications. Coordinates with the GR team to ensure accurate external communications, including but not limited to website content and timely responses to legislative inquiries.
  • Review GR and Agency Materials: Assists in the review, preparation, and refinement of materials for the Governmental Relations Division, Commissioner of Education, and agency staff for speeches and public presentations. Works within a team on special one-time and ongoing projects which may include planning and coordinating multiple presentations and disseminating agency information to appropriate stakeholders. Collaborates with the GR and Communications teams to ensure agency responses are presented with accuracy.
  • Ensure Success of GR Division Efforts: Assists in developing project plans, project management scheduling; and reviews policies, practices, and procedures for Governmental Relations Division with an eye toward division process codification and continuous process improvement of the team. Creates and develops the division's quarterly newsletter. Regularly updates the division's webpage, process tracking systems, legislative contacts and responses log, division policies, and procedures as necessary.
  • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
  • At least five (5) years of experience in project management, organizational tracking of initiatives and goals, and/or support for multidisciplinary projects
  • Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
  • Graduation with major coursework or work experience in education, public administration, government, public policy, or a related field is preferred
  • Proven experience in project management, ideally within a government or policy-focused environment
  • Experience working with or within a Fiscal Note System (FNS) or similar legislative tracking systems is highly desirable but not required
  • Experience working with Texas Legislature is preferred
  • Strong capabilities in system design, process improvement, and timeline management
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy and financial data into clear, actionable insights
  • Skill in compiling, evaluating, and presenting information, as well as the ability to compose and present clear and concise communications for diverse audiences
  • Ability to prioritize work streams and collaborate with a diverse group of individuals at different seniority levels, with discretion, while managing multiple projects
  • Proficiency in applicable software, specifically Texas Legislature Online, SalesForce, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Telicon, Salesforce and project tracking tools such as Smartsheet and Microsoft Project is preferred but not required
  • Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to public education is preferred
  • General understanding of statistical and policy analysis and of legislative management processes and techniques is preferred
  • Knowledge of Legislative Fiscal Note Process is preferred but not required
© 2024 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service