United Community Corporation
Job Description
Job Title: Lead Construction Manager (LCM)
Department: Housing Improvement Services
Reports To: Director of Housing
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Newark / Essex County, NJ
Organization Overview
United Community Corporation (UCC) is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency serving low-income individuals, families, seniors, and youth across Newark and Essex County, New Jersey. UCC's Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Program addresses lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 residential housing, protecting children and families from one of the most preventable causes of childhood developmental harm. The Lead Construction Manager plays a central role in delivering this life-changing work.
Position Summary
The Lead Construction Manager (LCM) is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of UCC's Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Program. This position oversees all phases of lead hazard control activity — from initial client intake and property assessment through contractor coordination, project oversight, clearance inspection, and case closeout — ensuring full compliance with HUD Guidelines, U.S. EPA regulations, and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) requirements under N.J.A.C. 5:17 and N.J.A.C. 8:51.
The LCM works directly with homeowners, tenants, certified contractors, lead evaluation professionals, and program partners to ensure high-quality, timely remediation of lead hazards. This role requires technical expertise in lead hazard control, strong project management skills, and a commitment to equitable, client-centered service delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Intake & Case Management:
- Conduct initial client eligibility screenings and intake for program enrollment, including verification of income, occupancy, and property eligibility per program guidelines.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for homeowners and tenants throughout the full program lifecycle, providing clear, compassionate communication and support.
- Coordinate relocation assistance and temporary housing when required during lead hazard control activities.
- Ensure all client interactions reflect UCC's commitment to dignity, equity, and respect.
Property Assessment & Scope of Work Development:
- Coordinate with certified Lead Inspectors and Risk Assessors to schedule and oversee lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments in residential units.
- Review Lead Inspection and Risk Assessment (LIRA) reports to identify required hazard control strategies including interim controls, encapsulation, and full abatement.
- Conduct property walkthroughs with contractors and evaluation professionals to assess conditions and confirm scope.
- Develop detailed, cost-estimated Scopes of Work (SOWs) consistent with HUD's Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (2nd Edition) and NJDCA cost guidelines.
- Identify and document ancillary health and safety issues — such as moisture, mold, structural deficiencies, and pest intrusion — that serve as causative factors for lead hazards, consistent with a Healthy Homes approach.
Contractor Management & Procurement:
- Maintain and manage an approved pool of NJDCA-certified lead abatement contractors and U.S. EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP)-certified firms.
- Coordinate the competitive bid process for lead hazard control work, ensuring compliance with program procurement requirements, fair housing obligations, and MBE/WBE participation goals.
- Negotiate contracts, issue work authorizations, and monitor contractor performance against SOW specifications, timelines, and program cost guidelines.
- Conduct site visits during active remediation/abatement to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Review and approve contractor invoices, change orders, and project completion documentation.
Project Management & Compliance:
- Manage an active caseload of lead hazard control projects from initiation through final clearance and case closeout.
- Monitor all project timelines to ensure work is completed within program-required timeframes (typically within 10 days of work commencement, consistent with DCA/HUD program rules).
- Ensure all activities comply with HUD OLHCHH grant requirements, NJDCA lead program standards, Essex County guidelines, EPA lead-safe work practice regulations, and applicable sections of the NJ Uniform Construction Code.
- Coordinate clearance inspections with certified lead clearance examiners and review clearance reports for accuracy and completeness prior to file closeout.
- Prepare and submit required program reports, performance metrics, and data to funders, including HUD OLHCHH reporting systems.
Documentation & Data Management:
- Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready case files for all program participants, including all intake documentation, assessment reports, SOWs, contracts, inspection records, clearance reports, and correspondence.
- Track program production data and provide regular progress reports to the Director of Housing.
- Support annual program audits, monitoring visits, and funder site reviews by ensuring documentation readiness.
- Utilize program databases and case management systems to enter, manage, and report participant and project data.
Community Outreach & Partnerships:
- Conduct targeted community outreach to promote the UCC Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Program in Newark, Irvington, and Essex County communities, with emphasis on reaching families with young children and pregnant women in pre-1978 housing.
- Build and sustain working relationships with community partners, housing agencies, public health entities, and local government offices.
- Represent UCC's Lead Safe Program at community events, public forums, health fairs, and informational sessions.
- Collaborate with UCC's housing and case management staff to support cross-program referrals and service integration.
Qualifications
Required:
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in lead hazard control, residential construction management, housing rehabilitation, or a closely related field.
- Current NJDCA Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor certification or Lead Supervisor certification, in compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:17; or demonstrated ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
- Working knowledge of HUD's Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing, EPA RRP regulations, and NJDCA lead abatement requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to develop detailed scopes of work, review contractor bids, and manage residential construction projects.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent cases and competing deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience communicating with low-income clients, contractors, and government representatives.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database/case management systems.
- Valid New Jersey driver's license and reliable transportation; ability to travel throughout Essex County.
Preferred:
- U.S. EPA RRP Firm Certification or individual Lead Abatement Supervisor certification.
- Experience working in a HUD-funded Lead Hazard Control or Healthy Homes grant program.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred, given the communities served.
- Familiarity with NJDCA lead grant compliance requirements, SAGE reporting systems, and DCAid portal processes.
- Experience with XRF lead testing equipment and lead dust wipe sampling procedures.
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Environmental Health, Public Health, Urban Planning, or a related field.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires regular field work in residential properties, including climbing stairs, entering confined spaces, lifting materials up to 30 pounds, and working in varying weather conditions. The role requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with OSHA and EPA lead-safe work standards.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. UCC offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, and participation in professional development and certification training opportunities.
United Community Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve.