Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead (Education Specialist V)

Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead (Education Specialist V)

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.

Position Overview: TEA's Performance Reporting division seeks to ensure continuous improvement in the academic achievement of all Texas public school students by 1) developing and implementing transparent, rigorous, and fair academic accountability systems, 2) providing accurate and comprehensive academic performance reporting systems, tools, and trackers and 3) monitoring and validating data to ensure the integrity of these systems. The Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead is responsible for providing clear and effective communication and training to help ESCs, school administrators, teachers, parents, and the public understand and benefit from the accountability system. As an expert in the A-F accountability system, the Training and Outreach Lead strategically plans presentations, actively seeks and sources outreach opportunities, and cultivates relationships with stakeholders. A skilled presenter in both virtual and in-person settings, the Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead excels at clearly and concisely communicating complex information to a wide array of audiences. The Training and Outreach Lead will also develops asynchronous learning opportunities for statewide audiences and carefully designed train the trainer materials. They develop presentations grounded in best practices for adult learning, thoughtfully adapting their style to engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders. This individual is highly organized and an expert project planner, adept at balancing multiple competing priorities and consistently following through with commitments. The Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead also builds systems for ongoing stakeholder feedback, utilizing focus groups, surveys, and interviews, and is a strong analyzer of feedback data—drawing and communicating trends to inform and improve future outreach efforts. Through these efforts, the Performance Reporting Training and Outreach Lead ensures that information is accessible, actionable, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders across Texas. This role is a satellite role requiring candidates to be based in the state of Texas and will require frequent travel to the Austin area/across Texas.

Essential Functions Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Create and execute a stakeholder engagement plan for a wide range of stakeholder groups including ESCs, school systems leaders, community partners, and families. Leverages a variety of stakeholder engagement tools such as presentations, conferences, surveys, interviews and focus groups. Sources new opportunities for stakeholder engagement through stakeholder mapping, networking and research. Meticulously project plans all elements of stakeholder engagement plan including calendar, travel logistics, pre-planning meetings, day-of logistics, and systems for follow-up.
• Stakeholder Engagement Deliverables: Creates and maintains content, products, and additional methods to engage and communicate with stakeholders including slide decks, surveys, train the trainer materials, asynchronous learning opportunities, and stakeholder interviews. Consistently surveys feedback from stakeholders, revises deliverables accordingly, and shares key data and takeaways with Performance Reporting team to improve a wide range of Performance Reporting products and processes.
• Training and Preparation: Prepares and presents training and presentations, aligned to best practices in adult learning, for statewide conferences, meetings, and sessions (including virtual and in person) Is able to adapt presentation style for wide range of stakeholders and skillfully balances technical information with adaptive alignment to TEA's mission and overarching goals of Performance Reporting.
• Stakeholder Outreach: Provide consultative services and stakeholder outreach opportunities to program staff, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public. Coordinates across agency divisions to find opportunities for collaboration and to maximize training opportunities. Identifies and maintains key strategic working relationships.
• Web Content and Communications Team Support: Assists in development, review, and publishing of web content and division products for federal and state accountability. Provides expertise and insight in Performance Reporting inbox and voicemail responses. Supports team with web postings, bulletins, and additional communications team priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in public school accountability or in working with a program that required the implementation of legislation and outreach, training, and ensuring the understanding of the program by its stakeholders.
• 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
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal assessment and accountability laws and regulations and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; and to communicate effectively.
• Strong organizational skills and a task orientation to ensure alignment to project management plans and statewide deadlines.
• Strong written communication skills, including using Word or other web-based document design applications.
• Strong active listening skills to determine stakeholder need or ask correctly.
• A self-starter who continuously seeks out opportunities to improve
• Experience with explaining technical data methodology to various levels of stakeholder groups.
• Experience with website design and other user engagement modalities.
• Strong team player to adapt to other policy and communications needs, as assigned.