Tribal Transportation GIS & Planning Specialist

KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Recruitment Length: Two weeks, closes Friday, June 12^th 2026

DIVISION:                                                    Infrastructure
JOB TITLE:                                                   Tribal Transportation GIS & Planning Specialist
LOCATION:                                                  Nome
POSITION STATUS:                                     Regular, Full-Time
EXEMPT STATUS:                                        Non-Exempt
PAY SCALE GRADE:                                    15-16-17-18 ($46.76 – $64.71)
REPORTS TO:                                              Transportation Program Director

Kawerak, Inc. is a non-profit organization that relies on federal agency and grant funding primarily to fund positions. This position is funded by agency or grant funding.  This means that this position, as with all positions at Kawerak, is subject to availability of funding each year to continue to fund the position. 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Transportation Planning & Tribal Coordination
   • Serve as the primary liaison between KTP and community leadership to identify, prioritize, and coordinate transportation projects.
   • Facilitate community meetings, planning sessions, and public outreach efforts.
   • Develop and maintain Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) for communities within the region.
   • Support identification of funding opportunities (TTP, FHWA, Denali Commission, etc.).
   • Communicate maintenance schedules, keeping communities informed of upcoming activities like dust control, trail staking, and road work.
   • Provide regular updates to:
     • Transportation Program Director
     • Infrastructure leadership (as needed)
     • Tribal Councils and partners
   • Prepare reports, maps, and documentation for:
     • Federal reporting requirements
     • Board and leadership updates
   • Coordinate internally with:
     • IT (GIS/data systems)
     • Facilities & Infrastructure (project overlap)
     • Emergency Preparedness (transportation access considerations)

2. GIS, Inventory Management & Federal Compliance
   • Maintain Kawerak’s transportation inventory in compliance with BIA TTP and 25 CFR Part 170 requirements.
   • Serve as primary point of contact with BIA for RIFDS submissions and inventory validation.
   • Develop GIS products to support planning, reporting, and construction activities.
   • Assist with inventory appeals, amendments, and audit readiness.
   • Conduct and update:
     • Road and trail inventory
     • Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts
     • GPS data collection and mapping

3. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Planning, Engineering, or a closely related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
2. Strong working knowledge of:
   • GIS platforms (ArcGIS preferred)
   • Transportation inventory systems
   • Rural Alaska infrastructure challenges
3. Familiarity with:
   • BIA Tribal Transportation Program (TTP)
   • FHWA processes and funding
4. Experience in:
   • Field work, surveying, or construction support
   • Community engagement and public meetings
5. Ability to travel extensively within the region (air, snowmachine, ATV, boat).
6. Strong communication and coordination skills across multi-agency environments.
7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data management tools.
8. Valid Alaska Driver’s License.

Native Preference per Public Law 93-638                      Approved (5-18-2026)

SLOTTING:
15: BA or 4 years experience
16: BA +2 years experience or 6 years experience
17: BA +4 years experience or 8 years experience
18: BA +6 years experience or 10 years experience