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

The Dig Deep 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.

Dig Deep 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. Dig Deep 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. Dig Deep 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 Director, Colonias Water Project will lead Dig Deep’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.

• Collaborate with CPO to develop a comprehensive project plan for Dig Deep’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;…