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, frequent travel to Dallas required)

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; close collaboration with Director of Policies & Coalitions.

Education/Experience Preferences: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Start Date: ASAP, open until filled.

Summary

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 credibility to engage state and regional agencies and the ability to build trust with Colonia residents. The director will shape 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 (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 (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.
• 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 description.

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.
• 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 collaborates with leadership on a solution.
• Change Management: Strategic orientation. Consistently conceptualizes projects to further company goals with consideration to capabilities/resources of functional area. Identifies and operationalizes opportunities for functional area growth. Ensures progress of directives and recommends remedies if applicable.
• 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.
• Professional Communication: Ability to communicate with equal fluency to colonia residents, utility engineers, funders, and high-level elected officials. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, always representing the organization well in external facing situations.
• Innovation: Uses understanding and forward‑thinking to devise responses and solutions to future situations in the functional area. Encourages exploration of new ideas and creative thinking in self and others. Adaptable and proactive.

Skills and Qualifications

• 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 (TWDB, TCEQ, counties, water districts, and 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 communicate 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 to Navajo Nation, West Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, DigDeep HQ and additional locations as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive wage 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).
• 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.
• 401(k) retirement plan, with employer match.
• Health benefits:
  • Employee offerings: Medical, dental, vision insurance, 100% employer paid.
  • Spouse/children/family: Employer covers up to $500 of the monthly cost for medical insurance; employer covers 100% of the cost for dental and vision insurance.