Associate, Program Operations NWP

Position: Associate, Program Operations NWP 

Location: Flagstaff, AZ (on-site, in-office)

Employment Type: Part-time, Hourly, Nonexempt 

Compensation Range: $21.50/hour - $26.50/hour DOE

Level: Associate I

Reports To: Manager, Program Operations NWP 

Manages: None

Supported By: Project Managers, Program Assistants, Operations team

Education/Experience Preferences: Associate's Degree, or equivalent professional experience preferred

Start Date: ASAP, open until filled

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 PSD's 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 Opportunity

DigDeep is looking for a creative, collaborative, organized, and detail-oriented person to join our growing Navajo Water Project (NWP) team as the Associate of Program Operations for the Navajo Water Project team. Reporting to the Manager, Program Operations NWP (MPO), the Associate, Program Operations NWP is responsible for ensuring projects within the Navajo Water Project portfolio run efficiently, effectively, and sustainably. 

This position requires flexibility and the ability to support the MPO on different levels, ranging from managing the day-to-day tasks (e.g. taking meeting notes, office maintenance, parts procurement etc.) to long-term projects (e.g., helping track annual work plan timelines, supporting the development of NWP documents and standard operating procedures, etc.). The Associate, Program Operations NWP will be expected to build strong, trusting working relationships with project partners, field staff, vendors, and community members. 

This position is a part-time position, which DigDeep defines as up to 29 hours (less than 30 hours) per week. This role is based in Flagstaff, AZ at our NWP warehouse. The Associate, Program Operations NWP will report to and work closely with the MPO, also working regularly with field staff members, partner organizations, community members, and leaders of potential and existing project sites. This is a part-time position with the potential to move to full-time if certain conditions are met, including, but not limited to: budgeted capacity, department need, and performance.   

Key Responsibilities

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

• Under the direction of the MPO, coordinate operations at the NWP warehouse in Flagstaff; this includes but is not limited to, paying utility bills, organizing mail, answering phones, receiving deliveries, stocking the office, coordinating visitors, property upgrades, repairs, and maintenance.
• Support NWP field staff in various activities; this includes but is not limited to: coordinating and scheduling vehicle maintenance appointments, assisting with maintaining the internal vehicle database, driving vehicles between auto repair shops and field sites, purchasing inventory for NWP, assisting field staff in ordering parts and maintaining inventory in satellite warehouses as needed.
• Support the planning and coordination of company activities, training, events, and visits from donors, government officials, and other DigDeep staff; this includes but is not limited to, organizing meals, lodging, and transportation.
• Upkeep of office appearance and light office cleaning duties including, but not limited to: purchasing cleaning supplies, taking out trash, sweeping, dusting, general tidying up, etc.
• Assist the MPO in drafting, tracking, and reporting on annual work plans and timelines for the overall Navajo Water Project, as well as collaborating with individual project sites on work planning.
• Take notes during internal and external meetings on the Navajo Water Project; assist in producing reports to be disseminated across the organization. 
• Assist the MPO in drafting, updating, and improving project briefs used internally to inform DigDeep staff and the board about NWP activities and externally to project partners, large donors, and foundations. 
• Assist in coordinating operations between Navajo Water Project and LA HQ.
• With the MPO, develop standard operating procedures and instructions for NWP workflows; capture and record institutional knowledge in briefs, reports, and memos. 
• Assist NWP Field Staff with the facilitation of a variety of project needs, including, but not limited to: researching and contacting necessary government personnel and vendors; researching comparable sales/cost information for water system parts; ordering parts for testing and installation, etc. 
• Supporting the MPO, gather and prepare materials to send to the Development department that will aid in educating donors about ongoing projects.
• Aid in outreach and awareness efforts to educate the public and develop our donor base.
• Maintain DigDeep’s presence within the local community, governmental, and non-governmental institutions, development sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This role is primarily based in our office space, but will require oversight and use of our warehouse as well. The purpose of the below information is to help provide an overview of the overall working conditions.

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

The physical requirements of this position include, but are limited to: occasionally operating a forklift; frequently lifting, moving, and opening packages (up to 40 lbs) off the floor and putting them on shelves; frequently organizing the shelving units of our warehouse; regularly accepting deliveries; and occasionally using a hand truck and pallet jack.

The working environment in our warehouse is separated between a quiet office space and a larger warehouse in the back. This role will work primarily in the front office space, which is typically very quiet, with occasional, expected office temperature fluctuations with seasonal changes that include being warmer in the summer, cooler in the winter. The warehouse is typically cooler than the office space in the winter and warmer than the office space in the summer. The office space has both a cooling and heating system, and the warehouse has a heating system. When we have team/staff trainings and when the forklift is being used, there may be some noise in the warehouse, but not in excessive volume.

The organization will cover the cost of required trainings and certifications, including, but limited to: OSHA-10 Hour General Industry; CPR and First Aid; and forklift certification. The organization also provides PPE, and a protective footwear reimbursement for job duties. Reimbursement is provided after successful completion of the 90-day employment introductory period. 

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: Gathers and links information. Reviews incoming information for inconsistencies. Gathers information in response to routine problems. Determines relationship of information, identifying cause and effect. Breaks down tasks and problems into manageable components. With guidance, determines importance and priorities for action. Recognize when issues are non-routine and source solutions from management.
• Collaborative Working: Occasionally expresses an interest in others' experiences, ideas, and roles. Participates willingly by supporting team decisions, assisting other team members, and doing his/her share of the work to meet goals and deadlines. Informs other team members about client-related decisions, group processes, individual actions, or influencing events. Sees peers as collaborators not competitors. Remains respectful in communications and approach where disagreement exists. Receptive of constructive criticism.
• Communication: 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). Speaks and writes in ways that support transactional activities. Presents oneself clearly and articulately when speaking with an individual or their team. Shares information and asks questions prior to taking action.
• Initiative: Does work as directed. Volunteers to undertake activities within capability. Asks questions and gathers information prior to taking on new tasks. Seeks help where challenged in trying something new.
• Judgement & Decision-Making: Makes and implements relatively simple and "safe" decisions where necessary information is readily available and the reasoning leading to the decision is routine or straightforward. Tackles a problem by using a logical approach, involving supervisor support. Is able to analyze problems and propose solutions. Should be able to implement relatively simple solutions independently, and more complex solutions by asking relevant questions.
• 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.

Skills and Qualifications

We want to hear from you if you have:

• Associate’s degree, or equivalent professional experience preferred
• At least 2 years of applicable professional experience (including internships/fellowships) required; preferably in the nonprofit space, with a focus on operations and/or programmatic work
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace required
• Experience with Slack, Asana, Zoom preferred
• Availability to work Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm (flexible schedule possible and at discretion of supervisor)
• Willingness to operate a forklift (and obtain a forklift operator certification (DigDeep covers the cost of certification)) 
• Able to lift 40lbs 
• 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
• High computer literacy, and tech savviness required
• Experience/Willingness to work across various cultural contexts and communicating across cultural differences
• Fluency/strong proficiency in the Navajo language preferred
• 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 Benefits

At 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
• Protective Footwear Reimbursement
• BrightPlan membership (Financial Wellness Benefit)
• Work laptop
• 15 paid holidays (including one week closure for Labor Day)
• Domestic travel 
• 401k retirement plan, with employer match