Director 1, Certification and Compliance

JOB SUMMARY

The Director 1 – Certification & Compliance provides strategic leadership and oversight of districtwide certification, credentialing, and educator compliance processes to ensure adherence to state and federal requirements and alignment with HISD policies.

This role serves as the district’s primary liaison to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on certification and compliance matters, ensuring that all employees meet state credentialing requirements and that HISD maintains accurate, auditable records. The Director leads the design and implementation of certification policies, monitors compliance with employment standards, and collaborates with Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and HR Operations to ensure that all employees are appropriately certified, credentialed, and assigned.

The Director develops and maintains efficient data and process systems that ensure the accuracy and integrity of all certification data. This includes building workflows within HR systems, generating and validating data sets, and conducting ongoing analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The Director must be able to synthesize and communicate complex data clearly to diverse audiences to inform decision-making and ensure compliance across all levels of the organization.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees all educator certification and compliance functions, ensuring the district’s adherence to TEA rules, certification standards, and employment regulations.

2. Develops, manages, and enforces districtwide certification policies and procedures, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with HISD’s strategic goals.

3. Leads and supports multiple talent coordinator teams providing technical guidance, training, and direction to staff responsible for certification processing and record management.

4. Serves as HISD’s primary contact with the Texas Education Agency, managing communication and audits related to educator credentials, permits, and compliance matters.

5. Monitors and audits certification data to ensure accuracy within HR systems, working closely with HRIS, Payroll, and Talent Acquisition to maintain integrity of certification records.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

6. Advises district and campus leadership on certification status, employee eligibility, and appropriate staffing actions, including deficiency plans, emergency permits, and waivers.

7. Coordinates compliance reporting to internal and external stakeholders, including TEA, district leadership, and the Board of Managers, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.

8. Collaborates with Talent Management to ensure that new hires, transfers, and reassignments meet certification requirements and that exceptions are properly documented and approved.

9. Develops and delivers certification training and guidance for HR staff, principals, and hiring managers on certification processes, timelines, and policy updates.

10. Analyzes certification trends and compliance data to identify risks, inform staffing decisions, and recommend policy or procedural improvements.

11. Other Duties as Assigned

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required in one of the following areas: human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, education, or related field.

Master’s degree preferred.

Applicants who do not meet these educational qualifications may be considered if they possess a unique combination of education and professional experience that demonstrates potential for success in this role.

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 5 years of progressive experience in certification management, human resources, or compliance.

Experience in a large urban school district or public education environment strongly preferred.

Applicants who do not meet these work experience qualifications may be considered if they possess a unique combination of education and professional experience that demonstrates potential for success in this role.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Expert knowledge of TEA certification, credentialing, and employment laws.

Strong understanding of HR Information Systems (SAP & Oracle preferred) and data integrity management.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Power BI, and database management tools.

Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

Ability to interpret and apply state and district certification policies.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Management. Manages a department or multiple major disciplines, often through subordinate management. Regularly manages cross departmental staff in the completion of large-scale projects or a closely related set of initiatives that span multiple functional areas. Operates within a matrixed organizational structure, collaborating with other Executive Directors, department leaders, and cross-functional teams across the district to ensure shared outcomes and organizational goals are met, even without direct supervisory authority.

Receives strategies and broad departmental objectives from senior leadership; translates these into operational objectives and work plans for the department. Establishes systems for process monitoring, accountability, and continuous improvement to ensure consistent execution and compliance. Provides coaching and guidance to build leadership capacity and reinforce a culture of collaboration, service, and results across certification and compliance workstreams.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving and supporting systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.

• Valid Texas driver’s license with applicable insurance coverage.

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including personal computer and peripherals

• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

• Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

• Environment: Prolonged or irregular hours, including some weekends; frequent districtwide travel

• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress, fast-paced