Tribal Engineer

Chemehuevi Tribe; Lake Havasu City (AZ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemehuevi Tribe in Lake Havasu City, AZ seeks a Tribal Engineer to apply civil/structural engineering principles to design, construct, and repair a wide range of infrastructure projects. You will keep detailed records and ensure all work remains the Tribe's property, reporting through the Vice-Chairman from Realty/Planning.

The role requires leading design reviews, coordinating with cross-functional teams, preparing contracts, cost estimates, and grant documents, and mentoring junior staff

Qualifications

• Degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited college.

Responsibilities

• Design, construction, and repair of streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, waterlines, sewers, and waterways.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Report writing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or eligible in CA

Tools

Civil 3D

ArcPro

GIS

MS Excel

Job description

Tribal Engineer

STATUS: Permanent / Full Time / Exempt, 40 hrs. per week

DEPARTMENT: Realty/Planning

REPORTS TO: Vice-Chairman

SALARY: $75,000 - $90,000 DOE

DATE POSTED: 9/22/2025

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Tribal Engineer shall be responsible for applying engineering principles to develop solutions to complex technical challenges in the design, construction, and repair of a variety of projects as required of HIM/HER by the Tribal The Tribal Engineer shall keep a record of all work done by him/her and all his/her records, calculations, data, books, maps, plans, and profiles are and shall remain the property of the Tribe and shall be kept in the Tribal Depository. The Tribal Engineer Office is in the Realty-Planning Department and is directly supervised by the Vice-Chairman.

DUITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be responsible for the design, construction, and repair of streets, alleys, sidewalks curbs, gutters, waterlines, sewers, and waterways; make such maps, conduct such surveys, plans, and specification, profiles and cross-sections
• Design & implement scalable systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security across all services.
• Assist with project reporting and grant writing as necessary.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements & technical specifications.
• Collect physical data at project sites for use in project designs.
• Communicate plans to Tribal Council, affected community, and Tribal Departments.
• Complete all engineering requirements needed to support project designs & specifications for water & wastewater system, in-stream habitat projects, wetland construction/restoration, airport, facilities & road development projects.
• Conduct thorough analysis & testing of designs to ensure compliance with regulatory & safety standards.
• Establish best practices in software management, documentation, & deployment processes.
• Implement & oversee site work on wetland, road, & stream restoration projects using Tribal staff or hired contractors, as appropriate.
• Lead design & code reviews, providing constructive feedback & fostering a culture of quality within the review team.
• Participate in program outreach efforts.
• Prepare contracts & cost estimates for the design, construction, operation, & maintenance of projects.
• Prepare detailed engineering documentation, including specifications, reports, & presentations for stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance & mentorship to junior engineers and engineering technicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning & improvement.
• Stay abreast of industry trends & advancements to drive innovation within the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Tribal Council, Executive Committee, Chairman, or Administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• The Tribal Engineer shall possess a degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited college.
• At least (1) year of professional engineering experience with a governmental or Tribal agency.
• Licensed in California as a Professional Engineer (PE), or eligible for comity licensure by the California Board of Professional Engineers’.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in the use of a variety of computer software applications & equipment, including Civil 3D, ArcPro, and GIS survey equipment.
• Familiarity with project cost estimation, plan, & specification design, contract administration, construction oversight & project inspection.
• Experience in applying & enforcing zoning & Land use ordinances.
• In addition to the above, the Tribal Engineer should be capable of the following:
  • Able to speak and write well. Position requires prepared written & oral reports, & project budget papers for Tribal Council, Department Heads, and Federal/State Agencies.
  • Experience with MS-Word Document and Excel. Spreadsheet Programs. Experience with Adobe PDF Editor Software is desired.
  • Understand blueprints, contracts, building codes, & survey techniques & terminologies.
  • Knowledge of infrastructure construction to include water/wastewater systems, electrical service systems & road/street construction.
  • Basic understanding of easements & Rights of Way as pertaining to planning of new development areas or upgrades to existing areas.
  • Knowledge of Federal/State/Private Grant and Loan requirements for eligibility, expenditures, and application towards planning & project execution.
  • Knowledge & ability in preparing & working within budgets.
• Assist in supporting Tribal Holiday/Events
• Other Requirements:
• Submit to pre-employment Drug Testing
• Comply with Drug-Free Workplace Policy
• Background-Check Required
• Must have a valid Driver’s License
• Knowledge & understanding of indigenous people, communities, & political structures
• Good work ethic (attendance, promptness, respect for chain of command)

This is a full time position