About the Opportunity: The Kiowa Tribe is hiring a Transportation Director to lead its roads, bridges, and capital transportation programs. This is a senior role with real ownership. The director manages a federal transportation portfolio of roughly $3 million per year, sets direction for capital projects across the Tribe's service area, and builds the long-term road infrastructure that Kiowa communities rely on. We are looking for someone who wants to build a program and grow with it.
JOB SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Housing and Community Development, the Transportation Director administers and implements the Kiowa Tribe Transportation Department. The department identifies and delivers road, bridge, and construction projects and manages transportation planning across the Tribe's service area. The director owns program strategy, federal funding, compliance, staff supervision, and community coordination. This position does not oversee the FASTRANS transit program, which is directed separately
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program leadership and administration
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Direct day-to-day operations across planning, construction, and transportation services.
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Provide leadership, policy direction, and strategic guidance to department staff.
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Supervise personnel, assign work, and evaluate performance.
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Maintain high standards of service to Tribal members and the public.
Roads, bridges, and capital projects
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Assess the condition of roads and bridges in the Tribe's service area and prioritize repair and replacement needs.
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Analyze maps, surveys, land descriptions, and inventory data to locate and define projects.
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Prepare and manage construction projects under ISDEAA Public Law 93-638 contracts or government-to-government agreements.
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Conduct bid evaluations and recommend procurement of design and construction services under Kiowa Tribe procurement policy.
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Apply knowledge of federal trust land regulations, including right-of-way acquisition.
Planning and inventory
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Develop and update the Kiowa Tribe Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP) each year.
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Coordinate with BIA and FHWA to maintain the National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory (NTTFI) and program strip maps, and obtain approvals so projects can be programmed, funded, and built on schedule.
Funding and grants
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Administer the Tribe's Tribal Transportation Program formula funds and pursue competitive funding, including the TTP Safety Fund, Tribal High Priority Projects, and discretionary grants such as RAISE.
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Evaluate and pursue a direct funding agreement with FHWA under the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program where it benefits the Tribe.
Fiscal management and compliance
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Manage program budgets and ensure revenue and expenditures are charged accurately and in compliance with federal regulations.
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Prepare written reports for federal, state, and other agencies as required by transportation law, contracts, and grants.
Community engagement
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Conduct public outreach to inform Tribal members about transportation system conditions and identify community transportation needs.
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All other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, public administration, construction management, or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and at least five years of progressively responsible experience administering a transportation, public works, or federally funded infrastructure program.
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Experience administering and monitoring federal grants and contracts.
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Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and meet federal compliance requirements.
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Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment on road and bridge conditions and project priorities.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
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Experience with the Tribal Transportation Program and BIA and FHWA coordination, including NTTFI and TTIP.
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Experience coordinating with state or federal departments of transportation, including the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT).
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Experience working within a Tribal government or under self-governance.
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Grant writing and competitive federal award experience.
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Knowledge of trust land and right-of-way acquisition.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Valid Oklahoma driver's license and insurability under the Kiowa Tribe driving policy.
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Must pass a pre-employment background check.
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Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Periodic field work in all weather conditions, including rain, sleet, snow, wind, and a range of temperatures.
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Wear safety garments, including work boots, during field work.
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Occasionally lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds.
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Office and administrative work makes up a significant share of the role.
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Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA.
Hiring Incentives: Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Kiowa Tribe does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
According to the Kiowa Tribe Human Resources Policies and Procedures, the Kiowa Tribe recognizes Kiowa Preference first, other federally recognized tribes second and other races last.
Indian Preference applies in accordance with Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472), BIA Form 4432, Tribal Identification or Certificate Degree of Indian Blood must be submitted with employment application to receive Indian Preference.
