Construction Lead

If you are a detail-oriented and mission-driven professional who thrives at the intersection of logistics and disaster recovery, then United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is where you need to be. The Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group (BCLTRG) Construction Lead plays a critical part in ensuring community members receive timely, coordinated, and safe home repairs and rebuilds.

The BCLTRG is a collaborative network of nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and community partners working together to support equitable, coordinated disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene. Operating through a committee-led structure, the BCLTRG aligns resources, shares information, and streamlines services to ensure that individuals and families across Buncombe County, particularly those most impacted, can access the support they need to rebuild and recover. This position is a grant-funded position through December 2026 with the hope to extend past this date based on available funding. The goal for the BCLTRG is for it to become an independent non-profit organization. This position would, in the future, transition to direct employment with the BCLTRG.

As the BCLTRG Construction Lead, youll manage the planning, coordination, and execution of home repair and rebuilding projects for community members. You'll collaborate closely with case managers, volunteer organizations, contractors, and community partners to ensure projects move efficiently from intake to completion, while centering the dignity and needs of each household served. This role combines strategic thinking and day-to-day problem solving, and offers the opportunity to build a community-based recovery model that is both responsive and resilient.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Intake & Construction Workflow

• Manage the full lifecycle of repair and rebuild projects with partner agencies referred through Disaster Case Management, from intake to final inspection.
• Maintain a real-time tracking system for all clients in need of construction support.
• Develop clear and itemized scopes of work and cost estimates to inform resource planning and partner coordination.
• Provide cost estimate documentation for each case to support funding decisions and volunteer deployment planning.
• Ensure all construction-related communication with clients is timely, respectful, and trauma-informed.

Site Oversight & Documentation

• Conduct on-site visits to assess work quality, safety, and compliance with applicable codes and permits.
• Maintain required documentation, including before/after photos, signed agreements, and progress notes.
• Ensure alignment with all funder and program reporting requirements.
• Flag and troubleshoot scope changes, quality concerns, or delays in partnership with the Construction Committee.

Partner Coordination & Resource Logistics

• Coordinate with the Volunteer Committee, nonprofit rebuild organizations, and licensed contractors to match projects to capacity and manage construction schedules for timely, efficient progress.
• Develop and manage construction schedules to ensure timely progress and efficient use of labor and resources.
• Identify and help fill resource gaps by coordinating with the In-Kind Committee, maintaining awareness of available materials and volunteer capacity, and ensuring timely delivery of supplies to job sites.

Committee Facilitation & Interdepartmental Coordination

• Serve as staff liaison to the BCLTRG Construction Committee, help schedule meetings, prepare agendas, and document decisions and action items.
• Collaborate closely with the Case Management Lead, Program Manager, and other staff to ensure a unified, survivor-centered recovery system.
• Participate in BCLTRG-wide team meetings and strategy discussions to ensure consistency and accountability across programs.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are associated with the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in construction project management, disaster recovery, housing rehabilitation, or a related field
• Demonstrated understanding of residential construction processes, including assessment, permitting, and inspection
• Experience coordinating construction logistics in multi-partner environments
• Commitment to the mission and guiding principles of UWABC and ability to model those principles

Technical Skills, Abilities and other Requirements

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple construction projects with varying timelines
• Technical proficiency with computers, Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Sheets) and strong ability to learn and use a variety of other platforms (e.g.,Salesforce)
• Familiarity with safety standards, building codes, and permitting processes applicable to Buncombe County
• Ability to read, interpret, and review construction assessments, scope of work documents, and cost estimates
• Comfort with conducting site visits and documenting progress with photos and written notes
• Effective interpersonal communication skills across diverse audiences, including clients, contractors, volunteers, and staff
• Ability to troubleshoot and respond quickly to shifting needs, delays, or project complications
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment with both field and administrative responsibilities
• Ability to communicate (oral and written) in English
• Commitment to equity, trauma-informed practices, and community-centered recovery
• Valid North Carolina Drivers License with a driving record that meets insurance requirements

Nice to Have

• Prior experience working with or within a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), VOAD network, or community-based disaster response
• Familiarity with FEMA, SBA, or HUD recovery programs and funding sources
• Background in construction estimating or quality assurance for home repair
• Experience working with volunteer rebuild teams
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) proficiency

Work Environment

The physical and mental demands 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 who are differently abled to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, and traverse uneven terrain at construction sites
• Reach with hands and arms; use finger and hand motion to operate tools, devices, and computers
• Talk and hear in a variety of environments, including job sites and meeting settings
• Drive to and from work sites and partner locations across Buncombe County
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Moderate physical activity required, including site walk-throughs and occasional lifting or transporting of lightweight materials up to 30 pounds.
• Work is split between office settings and outdoor job sites, including homes under construction or repair.
• Required to wear steel-toed shoes when onsite at construction or repair sites.
• Exposure to typical job site conditions such as noise, dust, and changing weather
• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for meetings or volunteer coordination
• Moderate level of stress may result from project deadlines, shifting priorities, and field-based challenges
• Moderate mental and visual fatigue may occur during periods of detailed documentation or computer-based reporting

This position is exempt from overtime regulations. Hybrid work environment: a mix of office, remote, and community settings (e.g., visiting job sites, attending local events, and potentially attending relevant conferences and/or regional or statewide gatherings). As part of our hybrid work policy, new employees are required to work from the UWABC office a minimum of 3 days per week for the first 90 days, and then the schedule can be modified based on conversations with the supervisor.

Reports To: Helene Recovery Initiatives Director

Supervises: 0

Hours: 40/week

Hiring Range and Benefits: $55,000-62,000 annually plus full benefits, including paid vacation, sick and personal leave; employer contributions to 401(k), we cover 100% employee premiums for health, dental and vision insurance benefits and life and disability insurance, and pay a majority of dependent health premiums, self care fund, and coaching and support.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law