Transportation Manager

Job Summary

The Transportation Manager will lead development, implementation, and administration of the tribe's transportation goals and be responsible for accomplishing various departmental services, including those related to tribal roads and facilities, transportation, construction projects, and land use. The Manager will work with the planning department on future infrastructure, land, and road use project plans.

The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating agreements and partnerships with municipal, state, and federal agencies that benefit the advancement of the tribal priorities as identified in the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The Transportation Manager will be responsible for the development of the tribe's LRTP, updating the National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory (NTTFI) as required, overseeing transportation programs, collaborating with other KIC departments, and grant writers, and assisting the Director with budgets. Further, the incumbent will ensure that all transportation department objectives are aligned to the tribe's strategic goals.


The Transportation Manager will also be responsible for building the Transportation department through job description creation, hiring staff, departmental planning, defining processes/SOP's, developing and implementing systems/tools, identifying resource needs, and establishing metrics for success (KPI's).

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Annually collect and update transportation data, including mapping and other available data-gathering methods, to assess current and future transportation needs.
• Supervise and manage transportation department staff, duties include communicating job expectations, coaching/training, monitoring performance, enforcing policies, resolving issues and ensuring staff accountability.
• Forecasting requirements, scheduling expenditures, and developing and enforcing planning schedules.
• Maintain accurate contract records and files on all projects and related materials.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with municipalities, states, other Tribal governments, federal agencies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Federal Transit Agency, and the Federal Highways Administration.
• Attend appropriate trainings, workshops, and meetings and represent the Tribe at conferences and functions related to the Tribal Transportation Plan.
• Seek and secure funding from federal, state, or private agencies, organizations, or foundations for construction funding and to address the annual Tribal Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), including collaborating with private grant writers and preparing/submitting required grant reports. Oversee preconstruction, management, and construction tribal Transportation projects, including environmental documentation, permits, right-of-way, master plans, cost estimates, and architectural/engineers' estimates and specifications.
• Ensure the Tribal Transportation Improvement Plan (TTIP) is current and approved in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations.
• Work jointly with consultants on planning, architectural, engineering, and construction projects.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

• Three years' of administrative experience in public works, project management and/or capital project budgeting.
• Three years' general leadership experience.
• Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Masters' degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Four years' administrative experience in public works, project management and/or capital project budgeting.
• Five years' general leadership experience.
• Experience in transportation and the federal-aid highway process is highly desired.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) and community transportation issues.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility. Understanding of theories and methods related to transportation planning and implementation strategies.
• Knowledge of contract management practices in an agency setting.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Understanding of research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate professionally over the telephone and in person and to represent the Tribe effectively in contracts with governmental agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and the public.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to prioritize assignments.
• Capacity to understand policies, procurement, and implementation and review.
• Ability to track spending and produce budget reports.
• Capability to research and prepare successful grant proposals.

• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.

• Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of computer software.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with all applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.)
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

KIC Competencies

Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.

Uphold Values : To make decisions and behave in a manner consistent with KIC Workplace Values of Trust, Teamwork, Respect, and Accountability, as well as Southeast Traditional Tribal Values "Our Way of Life".

Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition.


Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.


Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing

Responsiveness and Accountability : Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.


Must be able to hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; and taste or smell. Each of the listed activities also requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, climbing on stools and ladders, and must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and/or move up to 25 pounds frequently and/or up to 50 pounds occasionally.


Writing by hand and using a personal computer. Attending evening and lunchtime meetings as requested by the supervisor. Traveling occasionally to out-of-town meetings and functions.

Conditions of Hire

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC's company insurance.
• KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for-cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• KIC has several positions that must comply with the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA); all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a Federal criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.