Water & Sanitation Technician, AWP

Position: Water & Sanitation Technician, AWP

Location: Welch, WV

Employment Type: Full-time, hourly, nonexempt

Compensation Range: $21.50/hour - $31.25/hour DOE 

Level: Associate I/Associate II

Reports To: Project Director

Manages: None

Supports: Water & Sanitation Technicians, Backhoe Operator, Water Truck Driver 

Supported By: Water & Sanitation Technicians, Project Assistant, Project Coordinator, Operations department, Finance department, Research department

Education Requirements: High school diploma; Associates degree or equivalent work experience preferred

Start Date: January 2024, ASAP

We Are DigDeep

The DigDeep Right to Water Project is a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization serving the more than 2 million people in America 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 July of 2020, which brings clean, running water into the homes of Appalachia families, starting in southern West Virginia. The project has already brought safe water to hundreds of homes through our innovative hydropanel project and a public-private partnership with the McDowell County Public Service District which is helping families connect to new water lines. 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 Water and Sanitation Technician is responsible for getting our clients running water and sanitation. Under the direction of the Project Director, the Water and Sanitation Technician will install home water and sanitation systems into the homes of local community members. The Water and Sanitation Technician will also maintain existing systems; manage inventory, tools, and vehicles operation and maintenance; and interact with local community members. This position will support DigDeep’s mission by working and providing critical support in delivery of DigDeep services within the community and partnership building that enable DigDeep to provide world-class WASH services.

Key Responsibilities

This is what you’ll do once you join the team:

• Engage in assigned manual plumbing work (i.e. assisting the homeowner(s) with repairs or initial installations (if needed).
• Conducts water sampling (Including the hydro panels at the food bank).
• Carries out job assessment(s) and post-install inspection.
• Organize and log inventory at the office and in vehicles; ensure that all parts are transported from the office to job sites for installations. 
• Coordinate and schedule vehicle maintenance appointments, drive vehicles between auto repair shops and field offices.
• Complete service visits for clients as needed; tasks include, but are not limited to, replacing malfunctioning parts. 
• Assist in surveying prospective client homes. 
• Help guide new Water and Sanitation Technicians on system installs, service visits, and other responsibilities. 
• Client relations and community engagement:, taking home assessments, conducting follow up, answering questions, providing training, building and maintaining positive rapport with the people we serve.
• With Project Director and other Technicians, host DigDeep staff, board members, donors, and press during visits to the field. 

As the organization continues to evolve, duties or tasks may change without impacting the overall Job Description. 

Competencies

• Collaborative Working: Can work both independently and as a collaborative team member. Listens and responds constructively to colleagues’ feedback and ideas. Provides support where needed, seek assistance when necessary. Has a desire to build and maintain relationships with others. Shares information and advice on how to get things done and who to involve.  Displays an open, curious, non-judgmental approach regarding differences of opinion. Always remains respectful in communications and approach where disagreement exists. Learns how to create reports, documentation, and other written information to be used cross-functionally. Receptive of constructive criticism and integrates feedback into future approach.
• Change Management: Creative thinker with the ability to innovate and are comfortable in a rapidly evolving organization. Task focused, receives/follows direction. Does best to grow and digest as much information as possible. Understands the "start-up" mentality of the organization and are able to operate in a rapidly changing/growing organization. Adheres to clearly defined expectations and begin to make recommendations toward potential improvements. Delivers value to a specific functional area. Supports and reports. May begin working on multiple, minimally complex projects simultaneously.
• Innovation: Innovative and adaptive and believe anything is figure-out-able. Offers suggestions to improve the ways things are done. Displays open-mindedness and is willing 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.
• Professional Communication: Has the ability to creatively plan and deliver written communications, utilizing graphics, statistics, and language in such a way as to have maximum impact on the intended audience. Strong written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in conversations and interactions with others (both internal and external). Converses and writes in ways that support both transactional and administrative activities. Seeks and shares information and opinions. Explains the immediate context of the situation, asks questions for follow-up, and solicits advice prior to taking action. Ability to creatively plan and deliver written and visual communications, utilizing graphics, statistics, presentations, and language.
• Analytical Thinking: Collates and reports information. Identifies related trends, patterns, and inconsistencies. With guidance, investigates to define problems more accurately. With guidance, determines importance and priorities for action. Identifies relationships and links between components. Identifies causes and effects of problems. Identifies a workable solution for any problems and inconsistencies. Recognize when issues are non-routine and collaborate with management on solutions.
• Technical Expertise: You have demonstrated ability and depth of knowledge with the technology in the desired technical area. You effectively use and apply technical knowledge, and use your knowledge to identify solutions to existing problems.
  

Skills and Qualifications

We want to hear from you if you have:

• High school diploma, or equivalent professional experience preferred
• At least 2 years of applicable professional experience required; in construction or similar trade preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and other relevant software preferred
  
• Working knowledge of both PC and Mac. Ability to use a smartphone and tablet required
• Experience and/or willingness to learn and use new technological platforms (e.g., such as Justworks, BambooHR, mWater)
• Valid Class C non-commercial driver’s license required
• Valid Class A CDL, or valid Class A CDL training permit required 
• Ability to lift 50 lbs required
• Ability to work 10 hours per day, 4 days per week outside required
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Able to respond effectively and sensitively to inquiries or complaints
• Able to focus in the face of pressure, deliver against timelines and not be intimidated by tasks/time limitations
• Able to gain the respect and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity
• Proficient with power and hand tools
• Familiarity with plumbing parts and procedures, including but not limited to: PEX, PVC, water pressure, and sanitation fundamentals
• Understanding and appreciation of occupational safety and health principles
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills with a commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning

Compensation and Benefits

At DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We value staff members as individuals, and as contributors to both DigDeep and the communities we serve. We recognize that people benefit from having time to rest and from feeling supported holistically. We believe a staff that is healthy and renewed is the foundation of a successful organization and key to achieving impact over the long term, and  pride ourselves on creating industry-leading benefit opportunities for our team across the United States. DigDeep is committed to the health and wellbeing of all its employees and their families and works to provide additional robust perks and benefits. 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
• 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 

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.

DigDeep has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees and community at large. Candidates applying to work at DigDeep should be ready to demonstrate proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and booster as a condition of their employment.

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® 

Salary : $31