A Performance Audit
A Classification Compliance Audit Report on Property Management and Procurement Positions at Selected Education Agencies
May 2022
Summary Analysis
The majority (93.2 percent) of the 59 employees tested were classified correctly within the State’s Position Classification Plan. Employees tested included those classified within the Property Management and Procurement occupational category, or performing similar work, at two agencies within Article III (Education) of the General Appropriations Act (87th Legislature):
- Teacher Retirement System (TRS), which correctly classified 13 of the 14 employees tested.
- Texas Education Agency (TEA), which correctly classified 42 of the 45 employees tested.
In fiscal year 2021, state agencies employed an average of 2,982 full-time and part-time classified employees in a job classification series within the Property Management and Procurement occupational category. Of those, 2.1 percent were employed at the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The majority (57.6 percent) of full-time classified employees within the Property Management and Procurement occupational category at TRS and TEA were paid above the salary range midpoint in fiscal year 2021. By comparison, only 33.7 percent of employees at all state agencies combined were paid above the salary range midpoint.
The majority (93.2 percent) of the 59 employees within the scope of this audit at TRS and TEA were correctly classified within the State’s Position Classification Plan.
TRS identified 14 employees who were classified in the Property Management and Procurement occupational category or performing similar work; all but 1 employee were correctly classified in accordance with the State’s Position Classification Plan. TRS asserted that it will take appropriate action to address the one misclassification by reclassifying that employee into a different job classification series. The agency asserted that no cost will be associated with reclassifying this employee and that no employee will receive a reduction in salary because of this audit.
TEA identified 45 employees who were classified in the Property Management and Procurement occupational category; all but 3 were correctly classified in accordance with the State’s Position Classification Plan. TEA asserted that it will take appropriate action to address the three misclassifications by reclassifying those employees into different job classification series. The agency asserted that no cost will be associated with reclassifying the employees and that no employee will receive a reduction in salary because of this audit.
To better understand the education, experience level, and certifications obtained by employees in procurement positions, auditors gathered information directly from employees at TRS and TEA. This chapter summarizes that information.
Employees within the scope of this audit had an average of 11.0 years of occupational experience. The majority (69.6 percent) had a bachelor’s degree or a higher-level degree.
Depending on an employee’s job title and/or duties and responsibilities, the following certifications may be required for public procurement professions:
- Certified Texas Contract Developer
- Certified Texas Contract Manager
Of the 25 employees who were or will be classified in either the Contract Administration Manager, Contract Specialist, or Purchaser job classification series:
- 24 employees had at least one of the certifications listed above.
- 1 employee did not have any of the above certifications; however, that employee is a licensed attorney and thus is exempted from certification requirements, according to Texas Administrative Code, Title 34, Rule 20.133.
Graphics, Media, Supporting documents