Senior Investigator, Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Monitoring Unit (Investigator VI)

Senior Investigator, Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Monitoring Unit (Investigator VI)

Join to apply for the Senior Investigator, Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Monitoring Unit (Investigator VI) role at Texas Education Agency.

Position Overview

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.

EID is organized into two specialized units : Intake and Investigations. The Intake Unit helps ensure that school districts follow state law when reporting and investigating educator misconduct, as required by Senate Bill 571 and Texas Education Code 22A.156. The Intake Unit is the first line of review, evaluating reports of misconduct, conducting preliminary assessments, and determining whether cases warrant formal investigation while maintaining a strong focus on student safety and adherence to policy. The investigations unit takes on formal investigations into reports of alleged misconduct by SBEC-certified educators and non-certified school employees, ensuring due process and upholding the integrity of the education profession.

The Senior Investigator of the Child Abuse Monitoring Unit will have the opportunity to lead high-profile investigations that directly impact student safety and educator accountability. This position involves conducting on-site and virtual investigations, coordinating with internal and external partners, and making informed recommendations based on findings. Senior investigators also contribute to training, process improvement, and strategic collaboration—playing a key role in shaping best practices and mentoring others. Reporting to the Manager of the Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Monitoring Unit, this is a meaningful opportunity for experienced professionals to apply their expertise in a mission-driven environment while helping safeguard Texas students.

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.

Essential Functions

• Investigations : tracks and monitors compliance with misconduct reporting requirements; conducts preliminary reviews and senior-level, high-profile investigations into child abuse, solicitation, educator misconduct, ethics violations, and other allegations under SBEC or the Commissioner authority; leads coordination with the TEA Special Investigations Division, other TEA divisions, and external agencies as needed; initiates investigations and creates plans based on limited information; collects and evaluates evidence; interviews witnesses; coordinates with internal and external partners to reach findings in alignment with investigative plans, division protocols, priorities, and time standards
• Analysis and Recommendation : analyzes information from child abuse compliance monitoring and investigations; identifies significance of facts and context of allegations; applies agency, state, and federal policies to identify red flags, assess risk, make referrals, make appropriate recommendations and determinations for case resolution; uses analytical techniques and tools; demonstrates exemplary technical skills and deep contextual understanding; identifies multiple sources of information; assesses overarching risks to student safety and potential culpability at various levels within a school system
• Documentation, Report Writing, and Presentation : accurately documents the collection of information and key milestones throughout the investigative process; synthesizes information into organized, professional, and comprehensive reports, case briefings, and referrals that clearly communicate evidence-based findings and provide essential context for stakeholders; develops high-quality presentations for senior leadership and the Commissioner as appropriate; trains investigative staff on best practices; provides consultative support on school district compliance with child abuse reporting
• Testimony and Litigations Support : provides testimony and presents evidence and analysis in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; prepares professional exhibits and offers litigation support to legal staff as needed; trains investigative staff on best practices for testimony and supports the litigation process as needed
• Investigative Operations : performs special projects to support division operations; collaborates with colleagues, legal staff, and external agencies to strengthen investigative outcomes, uphold accountability, and maintain high standards in Texas public education; serves as a subject matter expert, provides strategic oversight of cases, and ensures workflow continuity and operational efficiency in a supervisor capacity on occasion

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Other Qualifications

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.

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 "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" 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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