Deputy Associate Commissioner, Education Resources; Director VI

Position: Deputy Associate Commissioner, Open Education Resources (Director VI)
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 salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview:

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is developing high-quality instructional materials by creating Open Education Resources (OER, also known as Bluebonnet Learning) across core subject areas, PK-12 that will be open to the public, easily accessible and support effective teaching and learning. The OER initiative is a strategic priority of the Commissioner of Education focused on improving the foundation of reading and math for students across Texas.

The Deputy Associate Commissioner, Open Education Resources (OER) is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process of developing new, Texas-specific high-quality instructional materials. This includes procuring, reviewing, editing and launching Bluebonnet Learning resources comprised of full grade-level sets of materials (e.g., scope and sequence, unit plans, daily lesson plans, etc).

The Deputy Associate Commissioner, OER is also responsible for ensuring each product is viable in the Texas market by ensuring significant stakeholder engagement is incorporated in the development process. The Deputy Associate Commissioner must also ensure materials meet the quality bar of all existing review processes, including review by the State Board of Education through the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process.

The Deputy Associate Commissioner, OER supports the communication of the state vision for high-quality open education resources for classrooms, schools, and districts, while also building relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to impact and influence project partnership and the adoption and utilization of Bluebonnet Learning resources. This candidate must demonstrate exceptional ability to manage a large and rapidly growing internal team, agency vendors, cross-department projects and multiple priorities.

This candidate has likely served in a school or district role managing the design and implementation of curriculum and assessment and/or has curriculum experience working with textbook providers or related vendors, as well as a strong understanding of project management, procurement, and the Texas political landscape.

This position reports to the Associate Commissioner of Curriculum and Instruction.

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 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. Team Management:
Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing service-oriented team dedicated to supporting the development of viable high-quality products. This includes development of strong vendor relationships and contract structures that support clear expectations for TEA partners. Set division vision and strategy and lead the team in development of research-based products designed to improve outcome goals. Ensure team tracks performance and regularly improves program delivery based on data and user needs.

2. Product Development Vision and Strategy:
Oversee a cohesive vision and strategy to support the development of high-quality instructional materials, licensed as Open Education Resources (OER, also known as Bluebonnet Learning), in alignment with district needs and the Texas…