Alaska Tribal Technical Assistance Center
Upcoming Training:
May 2009
IRR Comprehensive Training (Sponsored by All Nations Tribal Transportation Consortium)
Please contact Julie Baltar for more information: jbaltar@anttc.com (907) 842-1421
May 5-7, 2009
Anchorage, AK
Introduction to Tribal Transportation Finance Applications
May 14-15, 2009
Anchorage, AK
Other items of interest:
TTAC Webpage
Check out the TTAC website at http://community.uaf.edu/~alaskattac and email Grete Chythlook for comments at fyattac@uaf.edu since the webpage is still under construction.
TTAC Advisory Committe
We sent out a need for advisory committee members from Tribes in Alaska in late July, 2007. We thank those of you that sent in a nomination. We still are looking for additional Tribal nominations from the Kuskokwim (AVCP), Aleutians, Bering Straits, Ahtna (Copper River Area), Kodiak, Chugach and Arctic Slope area. Call us at 1-888-846-2422 with questions.
We offer year-round training opportunities. Here is a list of workshops currently available either regionally or on site:
Introduction to the IRR Program (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides an introduction to the federal Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) program. The course will cover the history of the program, including recent program changes, and their applicability to and effect on Alaska Native Tribes. The fundamentals of implementing a Tribal IRR program will be presented. Students will develop a basic understanding of the IRR program, including the potential for implementation of this program within their Tribe. This course is designed for Tribal Administrators, Council Members, and Transportation Program Managers new to the IRR program.
Conducting a Rural Transportation Inventory (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides Tribal Transportation staff members with hands-on experience in conducting a field inventory of transportation facilities. In the first classroom session, students cover basic definitions and terminology used in the IRR program and become familiar with the IRR inventory field data forms and the BIA Indian Reservation Roads coding guide. Students will go to the field to gain experience collecting IRR inventory data in a real-world situation. Students then return to the classroom to finalize the field data forms for submittal and inclusion in the IRR Road Inventory Field Data System (RIFDS). This course is designed for Tribal Transportation Staff responsible for collecting and processing IRR inventory data.
Traffic Monitoring for Rural Transportation (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides students with the basic tools to conduct a traffic monitoring program in rural Alaska. Emphasis is placed on meeting the traffic count requirements of the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) program. Topics covered include: the purpose of traffic monitoring; terms, definitions, and acronyms commonly used in traffic monitoring; deciding where and when to monitor; required and optional data; data collection tools and techniques; adjustment factors and adjusted average daily traffic (ADT) calculations; and data reporting. This course is designed for Tribal Transportation Staff responsible for collecting and processing IRR inventory data.
Basics of a Good Gravel Road (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides students with a basic understanding of what makes a good gravel road. Topics covered include: basic engineering terms and definitions; introduction to gravel road design elements; materials and material sources; routine maintenance and rehabilitation of gravel roads; road drainage; and dust control and stabilization. This course is designed for entry-level transportation managers as well as transportation maintenance and operations staff.
Intro to NEPA for Rural Transportation (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides an introduction to the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its applicability to rural transportation projects in Alaska. The course reviews Federal agency (BIA, FAA, FHWA) NEPA requirements and documentation in the context of transportation projects in rural Alaska, including recent policy changes affecting Tribes. The course will present how to effectively participate in agency-led NEPA processes, and introduce the potential to conduct a Tribally-led NEPA process.
Tribal TIPs and Control Schedules (2.5 days) 1 credit
This course provides students with the basic skills to develop a Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (Tribal TIP or TTIP) and a supporting Control Schedule. The course will cover the process for developing a TTIP, the minimum requirements of a TTIP, how to develop the supporting control schedule, and how to tie the control schedule to internal Tribal budget processes. This course is designed for Tribal Transportation Program Managers as well as Tribal Administrators, Council Members, and Accounting staff.
Introduction to Tribal Transportation Finance Applications (2 days) 1 credit
This course provides students with the financial skills and tools to develop the Tribe’s IRR Program Budget which includes the separation of program planning and construction within the budget. Students can expect to complete and review a monthly expense report against their budget and complete the necessary federal financial reporting requirements for the IRR Program. This course is designed for Tribal Transportation Program Managers as well as Tribal Administrators, Council Members, and Accounting staff.
Road Inventory Field Data System (2 days) 1 credit
<Due to technical requirements, this workshop requires substantial lead time to offer>
This course provides an introduction to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Road Inventory Field Data System (RIFDS); the system which stores all required data and documents related to the BIA Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) inventory. Students will learn how to navigate RIFDS and how to enter, modify, and delete inventory data. During this course, students will be introduced to RIFDS and how it relates to other BIA databases and IRR fund allocation. Students will qualify to apply for RIFDS access upon successful completion of course requirements. This course is designed for Tribal Transportation Program Managers as well as for Tribal Transportation staff who will be responsible for updating and maintaining the IRR inventory.
Project Management for Rural Transportation (5 days) 4 credits
Introductory course on project management focusing on transportation projects in rural Alaska. This course utilizes the curriculum developed by the National Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Topics covered include: the project management process, safety programs, interpersonal skills, issues and resolutions, construction documents, construction planning, estimating and cost control, scheduling, resource control, QA/QC, and project and program evaluation. Designed for individuals familiar with transportation programs but new to project management.
Workshops Currently Under Development:
Rural Transportation Planning
The Project Development Process
Tribally-Led NEPA
Bidding and Contracting Transportation Projects
Past Training
RIFDS
"I learned a lot from this training, I am new to the IRR program. You know, each time we go to these workshops we learn. It was especially beneficial that the folks from the Central Office in Albequeque were here to let us know what we can do from our village.
Another thing I learned about was security - we need to go through security training to get into their Internet System."
Mary Keyes, Transportation Planner
Bill Moore's Slough Tribal Council
"The best part of the training was learning about the steps of building planning and construction. I just started a couple weeks ago; I am really cramming and this gave me a jump start on how to get my job done.
I learned RFDIS, I learned about how to get it set up, how to enter the data and get it sent to BIA."
Pete Stephanoff, Transportation Specialist
Iqurmiut Traditional Council
Heavy Equipment Training
In September 2007, TTAC offered a heavy equipment training in Healy Lake. Several participants were involved and learned new skills, with Rich Nicolai as the instructor.