📍 Status: Owns workstreams end-to-end with full accountability
🎁 You Earned: 100+ hours, owned workstream, project-level thinking
The Operator owns a small workstream end-to-end. This is the first level where you're responsible for outcomes, not just tasks. Operators think in projects—understanding how individual pieces fit together and ensuring everything gets delivered.
🎯 Activities
Activity
Description
📋 Own workstreams
Responsible for complete delivery
🤝 Coordinate
Work with others to achieve goals
📝 Plan
Break down work into tasks
✅ Deliver
Ensure quality outcomes
⚖️ Key Difference from Contributor
🔧 Contributor
⚙️ Operator
Completes assigned tasks
Owns entire workstreams
Follows plans
Creates plans
Responsible for own work
Responsible for outcomes
Works independently
Coordinates with others
✅ Must Do
📋 Own and deliver assigned workstreams
📝 Create and maintain work plans
🤝 Coordinate with dependent teams
📢 Report progress and blockers proactively
⭐ Ensure quality standards are met
🟡 May Do
👥 Mentor Contributors and Apprentices
💡 Propose process improvements
🎯 Lead small project teams informally
🤝 Participate in cross-team planning
❌ Cannot Do
👔 Formally lead teams (that's Level 4)
📊 Make resource commitments for others
💰 Approve budgets or major decisions
🌐 Represent the DAO externally
📦 What is a Workstream?
A workstream is a coherent piece of work with:
Element
Example
🎯 Clear scope
"Implement user authentication"
✅ Defined outcome
Working auth system
📋 Multiple tasks
Design, build, test, document
🔗 Dependencies
May need input from others
⏱️ Timeline
Weeks to a month typically
⚙️ Operators own workstreams, while 🔧 Contributors own individual tasks within them.
🏭 Typical Workstreams
Area
Example Workstreams
🏗️ Construction
Material inventory system, site prep workflow
💻 Technical
Feature module, integration project
⚙️ Operations
Process improvement, vendor onboarding
👥 Community
Event series, outreach campaign
💰 EQTBLT Rates
Work Type
EQTBLT Range
📋 Standard workstream tasks
25-40/hour
🔄 Complex coordination
35-50/hour
🤝 Cross-team work
40-55/hour
👥 Mentoring
30-45/hour
⚙️ Operators earn more due to increased responsibility and coordination overhead.
🗳️ Governance Access
Capability
Access
🗳️ Voting
✅ Yes, 1.05× weight
📝 Proposals
Workstream-level in your area
👥 Working group
Full participant, can lead discussions
🏛️ Committee
By invitation
🚀 Path to Crew Lead (Level 4)
Your Progress: 🟢🟢🟢🟢⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪ Level 4 of 10
✅ Requirements
📋 Evidence Needed
Evidence
Purpose
📊 Workstream delivery record
Shows capability
🤝 Coordination examples
Shows leadership
👥 Peer feedback
Shows collaboration
✅ Working group lead endorsement
Shows trust
🔀 Alternative Path
If you prefer technical depth over people leadership, consider 🎯 Specialist (Level 3B) instead.
❓ Operator vs Specialist
At Level 3, you can pursue either path:
⚙️ Operator (3A)
🎯 Specialist (3B)
Project ownership
Technical depth
Coordination focus
Problem-solving focus
Breadth of work
Depth of expertise
Path to people leadership
Path to technical leadership
👥 Some members hold both—coordinate in one area while specializing in another.
❓ Common Challenges
Challenge
How to Handle
📈 Scope creep
Define boundaries clearly, push back on additions
🔗 Dependencies
Communicate early, build relationships
⏰ Coordination overhead
Block time for planning, use systems
⚖️ Quality vs speed
Set expectations, don't compromise quality
💡 Tips for Success
📝 Plan before executing - Time spent planning saves time overall
📢 Communicate proactively - Share status before being asked
🤝 Build relationships - You need others to succeed
📋 Document everything - Your workstream history matters
🎯 Think outcomes - Focus on results, not just activities
🚀 Next Steps
📋 Build a track record of workstream delivery
🤝 Develop coordination skills
❓ Decide between Crew Lead and Specialist paths
📈 Prepare evidence for promotion
Ready to advance? Talk to your working group lead about your goals.