Position: Water & Solar TechnicianLocation: Thoreau, NMEmployment Type: Full-time, hourly, nonexemptCompensation Range: $21.50/hour - $31.25/hour DOE Level: Associate I/Associate II or Coordinator IReports To: Project ManagerManages: NoneSupports: Water & Solar Technicians, Backhoe Operator, Water Truck Driver Supported By: Water & Solar Technicians, Project Assistant, Operations department, Finance departmentEducation Requirements: High school diploma; Associates degree or equivalent work experience preferredStart Date: ASAPWe Are DigDeepThe 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 OpportunityThe Water and Solar Technician is responsible for getting our clients running water. Under the direction of the Project Manager, the Water and Solar Technician will install Home Water Systems which are on and off-grid cistern systems powered by either grid power or solar power. The Water and Solar Technician will also maintain existing Home Water Systems, occasionally interact with community members, deliver water, and manage inventory, tools, and vehicles operation and maintenance. 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 ResponsibilitiesThis is what you'll do once you join the team.
- Install Home Water Systems (HWS), which consist of a 1200 gallon cistern buried underground, a water heater, a pressure tank, a water filter, a utility sink, a leach field, and depending on the home's power supply, a monocrystalline solar panel, a battery, and a solar charge controller.
- Organize and log inventory at the warehouse and in vehicles; ensure that all parts are transported from the warehouse to job sites for installations.
- Coordinate and schedule vehicle maintenance appointments, drive vehicles between auto repair shops and field offices.
- Complete service visits for HWS clients as needed; tasks include, but are not limited to, replacing malfunctioning parts.
- Deliver water to refill cistern systems monthly as needed from a pick-up truck and trailer.
- Assist Project Managers in surveying prospective client homes.
- As needed, help train new Water and Solar Technicians on HWS, service visits, and other responsibilities.
- Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among team and community members, elected leaders, partner organizations.
- With Project Managers and other Technicians, host DigDeep staff, board members, donors, and press during visits to the field.
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
- Analytical Thinking: Begins to analyze information for related trends, patterns, and gaps. Makes logical deductions from information. Identifies and proposes workable options and solutions for any problems and inconsistencies. Gather information needed to address problems and inconsistencies. Prioritize between multiple issues and tasks. Investigates to define problems more accurately. With guidance, determines importance and priorities for action.
- Collaborative Working: Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish specific objectives targeted at defined organization outcomes. Often expresses an interest in others' experiences, ideas, and roles. Always remains respectful in communications and approach where disagreement exists. Proactively sources feedback and integrates it into approach. Takes an interest in cross-functional teams and fosters relationships outside of individual scope.
- Initiative: Begins deeper questioning of processes in order to improve them. Able to focus in the face of pressure, deliver against timelines and not be intimidated by tasks/time limitations. Identifies person, resource, or technology that can provide support and procures their input. Identifies problems/challenges and collaborates with management towards a solution.
- Personal Development: Displays commitment to improving and learning by seeking opportunities for development. Proposes ideas for own development. Independently reviews own progress. Reflects, analyzes and learns from past performance of self and others, both successes and mistakes. Responds well to new situations that require a stretch/growth.
- Professional Communication: Professional presence, 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). Ability to effectively determine and use appropriate written and visual communications, graphics, statistics, presentations, and language in such a way as to have maximum impact on the intended audience. Handles conflict empathetically. Converses and writes in ways that support both transactional and administrative activities. Seeks and shares relevant information, opinions, and judgments. Explains the context of interrelated situations, asks probing questions, and solicits multiple resources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate. Practices active listening, repeats message back to speaker in a way that it is clear that the message is understood.
- Technical Expertise: Has demonstrated ability and depth of knowledge with the technology in the desired technical area. Effectively uses and applies technical knowledge, and uses knowledge to identify solutions to existing problems. Basic understanding of data security best practices.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma, Associate's/Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional experience preferred
- At least 2-3 years of applicable professional experience required; experience in construction, plumbing, carpentry, electrician fields or similar trade strongly preferred
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace required
- Experience with Slack, Asana, Zoom, Expensify preferred
- Valid Class C non-commercial driver's license required.
- Familiarity with plumbing and solar parts - including but not limited to PEX, PVC, and solar power fundamentals preferred.
- Proficient with power and hand tools preferred.
- Understanding and appreciation of occupational safety and health principles.
- Experience and/or willingness to use data collection platforms (e.g., such as mWater).
- Able to focus in the face of pressure, deliver against timelines and not be intimidated by tasks/time limitations.
- Organized, trustworthy, dependable, and detail oriented.
- Comfortable with autonomy, able to work independently and complete assigned tasks within established time frames required.
- Fluency/strong proficiency in the Navajo language preferred.
- Be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Be able to work 10 hours per day, 4 days per week outside required.
- Willingness to travel, including but not limited to: Navajo Nation (AZ/NM/UT), West Virginia, Texas, DigDeep HQ, and additional locations as needed.
Compensation and BenefitsAt 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
Interested? To apply, please visit 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. Where permissible by law, candidates applying to work at DigDeep should be ready to demonstrate proof of receiving up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination 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.Pursuant to Navajo Nation's Dept. of Labor NPEA Title 15 N.N.C. Chapter 7, members of the Navajo Nation are strongly encouraged to apply.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