Local recruitment: Director, Colonias Water Project

Position: Director, Colonias Water Project

Location: El Paso, TX strongly preferred (able to spend 1-2 weeks in El Paso/month at a minimum; with frequent travel to Dallas required as well)

Employment Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Compensation Range: $100,000/year – $112,000/year DOE

Level: Director I

Reports To: Chief Program Officer (CPO)

Manages: Project Assistants; Project Coordinators; Project Officers

Supported By: Project Assistant, People & Culture Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Manager; This position will work closely with the Director of Policies & Coalitions to ensure alignment between project-level implementation and broader advocacy efforts

Education/Experience Preferences: Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent professional experience preferred

Start Date: ASAP, open until filled

We Are DigDeep  

The DigDeep Right to Water Project is a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) organization committed to closing the water access gap for the 2 million + people in the U.S. who still don’t have a tap or a toilet at home. 

DigDeep believes access to clean water is a human right. We run several nationally recognized programs that empower communities to build their own water and sanitation systems. We won the 2018 US Water Prize for our Navajo Water Project, which has brought clean, running water to hundreds of Native families across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. DigDeep launched the Appalachia Water Project in 2020, in McDowell County, WV. It has since brought clean, sustainable running water to hundreds of families in Southern West Virginia through public – private partnerships with the McDowell County PSD and East Logan PSD in Wyoming County. In addition to clean running water, the project is installing septic systems and connecting households to centralized sewer. The AWP is now expanding into neighboring states of Kentucky and Virginia to continue its quest of clean water for every Appalachian family. Our water projects expanded in 2022 when we launched our Colonias Water Project. This project works to bring clean, running water to the residents living in communities along the Texas-Mexico border. The Texas colonias are largely unincorporated, low-income communities that fall just outside city limits and often lack basic infrastructure. Our work began in Cochran colonia near El Paso. DigDeep partnered with residents, housing nonprofits, and county officials to innovate a new model for public-private-partnership that brings these basic services to families for the first time. Now we’re getting the water flowing in 5 more communities. 

The Opportunity

The Director, Colonias Water Project will lead DigDeep’s work to expand water access in Colonias and Colonia-like communities in Texas and the Southwest. This role requires an expert navigator of the Texas water and political landscape, with the credibility to engage state and regional agencies and the ability to build trust with Colonia residents. The Director will shape both tangible water projects and create systems-change, bridging technical solutions, political advocacy, and grassroots relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Implementation

• Collaborate with CPO to develop a comprehensive project plan for DigDeep’s work in the Texas Colonias informed by strategy and data; set multi-year targets and timelines.
• Monitor and engage in relevant policy and regulatory processes at the state and local level; identify and pursue opportunities for systemic change that advance water access in colonias.
• Serve as a key liaison with utilities (e.g., EPWater, LVWD, regional water supply corporations), county commissioners, TA providers, local government and other nonprofits to align efforts.
• Identify communities in the region needing WASH assistance; develop strategies for serving these communities based on their unique needs. Ensure projects not only connect homes but strengthen long-term governance and financing mechanisms for sustainable service delivery.
• Plan and implement DigDeep’s annual work plans for the Colonias Water Project, set new targets and timelines and identify and maintain partnerships.
• Design, develop timelines, and implement individual projects within the larger Colonias portfolio, including new water projects from start to finish; monitor work plans and ensure objectives are met in a safe, timely and complete manner.
• Oversee program staff and monitor work plans to ensure objectives and work plans are met in a timely and complete manner and within budget; maintain productivity records including construction reports, inventory, and other datasets.
• Ensure program compliance with relevant laws as well as all workplace and employee policies. 
• Routinely visit all partners and project sites.

Finance & Fund Development

• Develop the annual Colonias Water Project program budget and monitor on an ongoing basis. Monitor expenditures throughout the year to ensure compliance with budget.
• Collaborate with the Development team to maximize all revenue and storytelling opportunities, especially those related to major donor cultivation and annual campaigns. 
• Assist clients with DigDeep’s bill pay program, including collecting appropriate information and coordinating with local utilities. 

Partnerships 

• Act as a liaison for our clients and staff by leveraging relationships and expertise; represent DigDeep at conferences, events, and other public relations opportunities.
• Own local partner relationships; guide partners as they collaborate on project implementation; deliver funding, supplies and technical assistance, monitor their progress and proactively manage conflict.
• In collaboration with the Vice President, Policy & External Relations, initiate and facilitate partnerships with CBOs, regulatory agencies and elected officials to help meet strategic goals; consult closely and regularly with relevant agencies (e.g., EPA, USDA).
• Plan and implement outreach activities to develop visibility of the organization within the local community; represent the organization at local meetings. 
• Provide clear, concise reports on plans, processes, and outcomes to executive  staff; represent DigDeep at relevant conferences and events. 
• Plan and guide donors, press and media visits to the field; oversee volunteer work as needed.
• Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among staff, community members, elected leaders, partner organizations and the public.
• Assist with program development, implementation, and strengthening for other DigDeep Water Projects as needed.

Talent Management

• Perform supervisory duties for CWP staff; interview applicants for employment; resolve discipline problems and take appropriate action as necessary; develop increasing levels of expertise in staff by encouraging further education and providing learning opportunities.
• Partner with HR to implement professional development opportunities to ensure team members have consistent access to skill development, in order to support employee engagement and sense of fulfillment.
• Lead and facilitate regular staff meetings, both virtually and in-person; provide strong day-to-day leadership that bridges high and low communication contexts to ensure all team members and clients are heard and understood.
• Uphold the unique culture of DigDeep by implementing values-aligned operations and management strategies for all work undertaken by the CWP team. 
• Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among staff, community members, elected leaders, partner organizations and the public.
• Assist with ad-hoc projects and support other tasks/duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. As the organization continues to evolve, duties or tasks may change without impacting the overall job descriptions. 

Competencies 

• Leadership: Proven ability to navigate the political and utility landscape in Texas and the Southwest, including knowledge of regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms governing water and wastewater infrastructure. Leads multiple teams/projects independently, optimizing processes through collaboration with the executive team. Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among staff, community members and leaders, partner organizations and the public. You anticipate project needs and ensure proper delegation to managers. Listens constructively, responds to colleagues’ feedback, and effectively integrates recommendations into approach, and conversely provides appropriate, integrative feedback. Solicits the input of others who are affected by plans or actions and gives credit and recognition to others who have contributed. Seen as an expert within functional area. Seeks a consensus within peer group, team, and organization leaders.
• Analytical Thinking: Determines criteria for assessing issues and opportunities. Uses findings to decide on a strategy to leverage organizational resources effectively. Establishes clear goals and priorities needed to assess performance. Identifies relationships and linkages between different information sources. Identifies deeper root causes and effects of potential problems and proactively collaborate with leadership on a solution. Anticipates potential problems, develops and implements solutions with consideration to corporate strategy.
• Change Management: Strategic orientation. Consistently conceptualizes projects to further company goals with consideration to capabilities/resources of functional area. Predominantly operating to better the organization, but considers external impact. Identifies and operationalizes opportunities for functional area growth. Ensures progress of directives and recommends remedies if applicable. Forecasts how change in functional area will contribute to overall organizational change and mission success. Translates business vision and strategy into winning tactics and plans to deliver excellent results for the organization.
• Strategic Planning: Demonstrated success in aligning grassroots community needs with policy-level opportunities to secure resources and systemic change. Challenges the status quo and continually strives to improve organization’s alignment with its goals. Begins to collaborate with leadership to establish directives with consideration to functional area capabilities and organization goals. Revises processes and tasks as they apply across functional areas. Develops project teams and staffing plans based on consideration of strategic objectives. Ensures functional area objectives and performance are consistent with strategic plan. 
• Professional Communication: Ability to communicate with equal fluency to colonia residents, utility engineers, funders, and high-level elected officials. Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, always represents oneself and the company well in external facing situations, anticipates interpersonal challenges and adapts to prevent or remedy. Tailors communications and presentations to effectively reach the desired audience and with maximum impact, both internal and external to the organization. Converses with, writes strategic documents for, and creates/delivers presentations for groups both internal and external to the organization. Leads discussions with team and senior leaders in ways that support strategic planning and decision-making. Checks for understanding of the communication by asking open-ended questions that draw out the listener’s understanding. Debates opinions, tests understanding, and effectively clarifies ambiguities and judgments. Identifies underlying differences and resolves conflict openly and empathetically. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal skills. – Explains the context of multiple, interrelated challenges and situations within functional area.
• Innovation: Uses understanding and forward-thinking to devise responses and solutions to future situations in your functional area. Encourages and promotes exploration of new ideas and creative thinking in self and others. Displays open mindedness and a willingness to try new approaches. Adapts readily to changes and needs. Is able to shift attention and priorities in own work in response to needs of their work. Actively seeks opportunities to try out new experiences.

Skills and Qualifications

We want to hear from you if you have:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in community development, water/wastewater utilities, or related fields in Texas or the Southwest
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience preferred; advanced experience in water/wastewater utilities, state/local government, or policy advocacy in Texas strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of Texas water utility, regulatory, and political structures (e.g., TWDB, TCEQ, counties, water districts, and relevant legislative processes) strongly preferred
• Track record of successful advocacy or policy influence related to water infrastructure, rural development, or social justice
• Proven ability to work directly with Colonia residents and other historically underserved communities, building trust and co-developing solutions
• Strong relationships (or demonstrated ability to build them) with Texas agencies, utilities, funders, and elected officials
• Skilled at convening cross-sector coalitions and turning partnerships into tangible results
• Experience managing multi-year, multi-stakeholder infrastructure projects
• Strong professional and technical competency, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new platforms, systems, and processes as needed
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results under pressure and within tight timelines
• Highly organized and skilled at managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Experience/Willingness to work across various cultural contexts and communicating across cultural differences
• Fluency/strong proficiency in Spanish strongly preferred
• Travel for this role will range from 25% – 40% of the time. Willingness to travel, including but not limited to: Navajo Nation (AZ/NM/UT), West Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, DigDeep HQ, and additional locations as needed required

Compensation and Benefits

At DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We understand that people thrive with rest and holistic support, which is crucial for our long-term success. We take pride in offering top-notch benefits to our team across the United States, prioritizing their health and wellbeing, as well as providing additional support for our employees’ families. If you join us, here’s how we’ll support you in your work:

• Competitive wage to commensurate with level of position
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 23 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Annual Professional Development Stipend
• Annual Wellbeing Reimbursement
• BrightPlan membership (Financial Wellness Benefit)

• Health Benefits
  • Employee Offering: Medical, dental, vision insurance, 100% employer paid
  • Spouse/Children/Family Offering: Employer covers up to $500 of the monthly cost for medical insurance for spouse/children/family; Employer covers 100% of the cost for dental and vision insurance for spouse/children/family
• One Medical membership 
• Life insurance, 100% employer paid
• Work laptop
• Monthly cell phone use allowance
• Monthly internet use allowance
• 15 paid holidays (including one week closure for Labor Day)
• Domestic travel 
• 401k retirement plan, with employer match 

Hiring Process

For candidates who are selected to move forward, the interview process involves: one 30-minute phone screen; and two 1-hour virtual panel interviews. In effort to ensure the process is as equitable as possible, all candies are asked the same questions throughout each step of the process. 

Interested? 

When applying, please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume. References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No office visits. No calls please. Thank you.

In an effort to promote pay equity and transparency, DigDeep does not negotiate compensation outside of posted compensation ranges. DigDeep’s compensation is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to: internal budget analysis, external market value, internal pay alignment, and annual merit increases. A candidate’s compensation history will not be used in determining compensation at DigDeep.

Please note that DigDeep cannot provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people. We believe everybody should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.

DigDeep is a certified Great Place to Work®