Transportation Director

Kotzebue IRA; Alaska; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Native Village of Kotzebue seeks a Transportation Director to plan, organize, oversee, and direct all activities related to the Tribal Transportation program. Oversight includes construction, procurement, and management of federal transportation projects in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

The role requires leadership, strategic planning, and strong collaboration with tribal and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of transportation-related experience; grant or project management preferred.
• Must pass background investigation and drug test.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Native Preference will be given in recruiting and hiring per 638.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, oversee, and direct all Tribal Transportation program activities.
• Oversee construction, procurement, and management of federal transportation projects in accordance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to deliver transportation services.
• Secure funding and grant monies for transportation planning, roads, and public transit.
• Prepare and present status reports and plans for current and future operations.
• Coordinate road construction contracts and tribal government relations.

Skills

Budget management

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication

Grant administration

Regulatory compliance

Project oversight

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or related field

Tools

MS Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

Under the general guidance of the Executive Director, accomplishes the Tribe’s strategic objectives by planning, organizing, overseeing, and directing all activities related to the Tribal Transportation program. Oversees construction, procurement, and management of federal transportation projects in accordance with established laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Upholds the organization’s mission, and values as well as demonstrates an understanding of and compliance with organization’s policies and procedures.

Promotes the organization’s mission and vision and demonstrates integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration of others.

Essential Functions

• Contributes to project’s effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; implementing directives.
• Develops and implements a strategic plan to maintain capacity to deliver services that result in a positive and appropriate outcome for the Native Village of Kotzebue.
• Directs the establishment, implementation and communication of goals, objectives, policies and procedures in accordance with strategic plan and applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and regulatory agencies.
• Participates in regular meetings to ensure effective communications about program matters.
• Achieves the financial objectives by exercising control and implementation over the budgetary processes.
• Secures additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of program services for transportation planning, roads, and public transit.
• Develops techniques and standards for evaluation of program activities; monitors compliance with grant requirements.
• Ensures compliance with governmental regulations, ordinances, laws, grants, policies, and other guidelines.
• Complies with the regulations identified in 25 CFR Part 170: Tribal Transportation Program and its applicability to the NVOK area.
• Performs all preconstruction work on transportation projects to include environmental documentation, archaeological clearances, permits, rights of way, plans, specifications, and engineer estimates to ensure the Tribe has met its regulatory requirements to construct transportation projects.
• Develops Scopes of Work and solicits bids for transportations projects.
• Coordinates Tribal Council approved road construction contracts.
• Facilitates public review of the Long-Range Transportation Improvement Plan and updates and adds new inventory as necessary.
• Develops and maintains working relationship with appropriate entities such as municipality, state, federal, and other tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs, etc.
• Collaborates with Housing Department to develop and maintain a maintenance program for Tribe’s transportation-related equipment.
• Develops and delivers presentations for Tribal Members, Tribal Council, and external agencies.
• Establishes and maintains compliance with the technical, financial, and administrative requirements of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) funding sources.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status, activities, and plans for current and future operations.
• Represents the Tribe at national, state, and local meetings, conferences, forums, etc. to promote and explain the project’s objectives.
• Serves as a contact person for vendors, contractors, and other business partners.
• Builds and fosters effective working relationships with others.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Applicable federal and tribal laws, regulations, requirements, principles, and practices of road and construction management, transit coordination, and grant and project administration.
• Road Inventory Field Data System and the CFR Part 170: Indian Reservation Roads Program.
• Public Law 93-638: Indian Self- Determination Act and its applicability to the Tribe.
• Policies, functions, and responsibilities of the Native Village of Kotzebue and Alaskan Native culture, traditions, history, and needs.
• Modern trends related to the practice of grant management.
• Funding sources and mechanisms.

Skill in:

• Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational reports.
• Analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Office software and industry-related applications.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Exceptional customer service.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Manage Construction Projects.
• Interpret applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Prepare comprehensive and concise reports and plans.
• Thrive in a team environment.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Speak persuasively before groups.
• Interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Uphold strong ethics and integrity.
• Remain in compliance with Tribal Drug Free Policy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in a transportation-related function, preferably with experience in grant or project management.
• A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation and drug test.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; walk; stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and communicate effectively. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and lift up to 25 pounds. Close vision ability and clarity of vision at long distance are required. Employee may be exposed occasionally to high risk / potentially dangerous situations; dust, fumes, airborne particles, and/or allergens; and infectious disease.

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional work outdoors where incumbent may be exposed to varying temperatures and weather conditions. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel may be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.

Native Preference will be given in recruiting and hiring, consistent with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638, as amended.

Position Title: Transportation Director Department: Transportation Supervisor: Executive Director Grade Level: TBD Status: Exempt

Job Summary

Under the general guidance of the Executive Director, accomplishes the Tribe’s strategic objectives by planning, organizing, overseeing, and directing all activities related to the Tribal Transportation program. Oversees construction, procurement, and management of federal transportation projects in accordance with established laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Upholds the organization’s mission, and values as well as demonstrates an understanding of and compliance with organization’s policies and procedures.

Promotes the organization’s mission and vision and demonstrates integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration of others.

Essential Functions

• Contributes to project’s effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; implementing directives.
• Develops and implements a strategic plan to maintain capacity to deliver services that result in a positive and appropriate outcome for the Native Village of Kotzebue.
• Directs the establishment, implementation and communication of goals, objectives, policies and procedures in accordance with strategic plan and applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and regulatory agencies.
• Participates in regular meetings to ensure effective communications about program matters.
• Achieves the financial objectives by exercising control and implementation over the budgetary processes.
• Secures additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of program services for transportation planning, roads, and public transit.
• Develops techniques and standards for evaluation of program activities; monitors compliance with grant requirements.
• Ensures compliance with governmental regulations, ordinances, laws, grants, policies, and other guidelines.
• Complies with the regulations identified in 25 CFR Part 170: Tribal Transportation Program and its applicability to the NVOK area.
• Performs all preconstruction work on transportation projects to include environmental documentation, archaeological clearances, permits, rights of way,