Investigator V

Texas Education Agency•Austin, TX

49d•Hybrid

About The Position

At the Texas Education Agency's Office of Governance (OG), we are driven by a powerful mission: to proactively support school systems, keep students safe, and uphold Texas education law with integrity, objectivity, and excellence. Our core workstreams-Field Support and Compliance & Investigations-focus on strengthening governance, fostering a culture of accountability, and promoting continuous improvement across Texas schools. By working closely with school systems and agency teams, we help ensure every Texas public school student has access to a safe, high-quality education. On behalf of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Commissioner of Education, the Educator Investigations Division (EID) is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of students across Texas. By investigating allegations of misconduct involving educators and school employees, EID plays a vital role in maintaining a secure and trustworthy learning environment. The division is structured into two primary units: Intake and Investigations. The Intake Unit ensures school system compliance with child abuse reporting requirements, reviews misconduct reports, conducts preliminary reviews, tracks criminal matters, and evaluates referrals for completeness and accuracy. This unit makes recommendations for formal investigations in strict accordance with SBEC and agency policy, always prioritizing student safety. The Investigations Unit conducts formal investigations into reports of alleged misconduct by SBEC-certified educators and non-certified school employees. This unit ensures that due process is provided in all cases, maintaining a strong commitment to protecting students and upholding the integrity of the educational environment. This is an ongoing posting to fill multiple Investigator vacancies. Investigators play a critical role in supporting the missions of the OG, TEA, and SBEC. Depending on agency needs, Investigators will be assigned to either the Intake or Investigations unit, with final placement determined by the hiring manager. Work may be done remotely or onsite, depending on each case. In this role, you will conduct advanced investigations with a high degree of independence and professional judgment, while fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a direct impact on student safety and educator accountability across Texas. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. 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.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
At least four [4] years of experience in conducting background checks, reviewing allegations of misconduct, or conducting investigations.
Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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

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