Associate/Coordinator, Policy & Sector-Building

Compensation Range

$26.50/hour – $31.25/hour DOE

We Are DigDeep

The DigDeep Right to Water Project is a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) organization serving 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 and East Logan PSDs 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 five more communities.

The Opportunity

DigDeep is looking for a collaborative, organized, and detail-oriented person to join our growing Policy, Sector-Building, and External Relations team as Associate/Coordinator, Policy & Sector-Building. Reporting to the Manager of Policy & Sector-Building, the Policy & Government Affairs Associate will support DigDeep’s work on policy initiatives, including Congressional and federal agency priorities, as well as state and Tribal policy issues.

The work is tactical, visionary, detail-oriented, and requires flexibility, forward-thinking, creativity, humility, patience, a discerning eye, and efficiency. Since this is a role focused on policy change, as-needed travel is an expectation in this position. A love of writing, researching, and synthesizing information, as well as relationship-building, analyzing, and researching policy and government affairs is a must! Experience analyzing policy issues in a professional or educational setting is required.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Support DigDeep’s work on Congressional, regulatory, state, Tribal, and other policy priorities.
• Assist the monitoring, tracking, researching, and reporting on legislative issues and actions for state, Tribal, and federal government affairs initiatives through review of BGov, testimony, hearings, floor debates, and bills on the state and federal levels. Reports will effectively synthesize information across all spheres by connecting issues, drawing conclusions, and presenting action items when and where appropriate.
• Assist in managing relationships with key officials, policy organizations, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations on DigDeep’s behalf.
• Conduct outreach to policymakers in state legislatures or Congress and/or state or federal agencies.
• Draft fact sheets, briefing memos, policy analysis, and other materials as requested.
• Attend webinars, conferences, government information sessions, and other events on water access, wastewater issues, and other policy priorities.
• 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

• Analytical Thinking: Collates and reports information. Identifies related trends, patterns, and inconsistencies. With guidance, investigates to define problems more accurately. Determines importance and priorities for action. Identifies relationships and links between components, causes, and effects of problems. Proposes workable solutions.
• Collaborative Working: Shares information and advice. Displays an open, curious approach regarding differences of opinion. Always remains respectful in communications. Learns how to create cross-functional reports and documentation. Receptive to constructive criticism and integrates feedback.
• Initiative: Takes initiative by asking questions and learning. Identifies support needs and procures input. Brings problems to supervisors to address and volunteers for challenging tasks.
• Innovation: Offers suggestions for improvement. Adapts readily to changes and shifting priorities.
• Judgment & Decision-Making: Implements straightforward decisions. Seeks supervisory support for complex problems. Analyzes issues and proposes solutions.
• Professional Communication: Strong written and verbal skills. Explains situations clearly, asks questions, and seeks advice. Delivers creative written and visual communications effectively.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrates technical knowledge, identifies solutions, and understands data security best practices.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• 2-3 years of applicable professional experience in policy, government affairs, and/or government work required; WASH sector experience preferred.
• Broad knowledge of water poverty and the WASH sector preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace required.
• Experience with Slack, Asana, Zoom, and Expensify preferred.
• High computer literacy and tech savviness required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working autonomously and meeting deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and other locations as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

At DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We prioritize the health and wellbeing of our team. If you join us, here’s how we’ll support you:

• Competitive wage commensurate with the position level.
• Generous vacation and sick leave.
• 23 weeks paid parental leave.
• Annual professional development stipend.
• Annual wellbeing reimbursement.
• BrightPlan membership (Financial Wellness Benefit).
• Health benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; family coverage options available.
• One Medical membership.
• Life insurance, 100% employer-paid.
• Work laptop and allowances for cell phone and internet use.
• 15 paid holidays (including one-week closure for Labor Day).
• Domestic travel coverage.
• 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 or calls, please. Thank you.

DigDeep has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees and community. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate proof of vaccination where permissible by law.

In an effort to promote pay equity and transparency, DigDeep does not negotiate compensation outside of posted ranges. Compensation is based on factors including internal budget analysis, external market value, and pay alignment.

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

DigDeep is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe social change happens when people from diverse backgrounds come together with a common purpose. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.

DigDeep is a certified Great Place to Work®.

Learn more here