Planner & Citizen Participation Lead (Con Plan/AAP/CAPER)

Job Title: Planner & Citizen Participation Lead (Con Plan/AAP/CAPER)Project: City of East Orange – HUD Technical AssistanceEmployment Type: Full-time Contract (FTE), 12-month engagement with option to extendLocation: East Orange, NJ (hybrid: onsite meetings/hearings + remote analysis)Reports To: Project Director / Senior HUD Advisor Role Summary The Planner & Citizen Participation Lead owns the planning and public engagement cycle required by 24 CFR Part 91—producing compliant, data-driven Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan (AAP), and CAPER documents and leading a robust, equitable citizen participation process. The role integrates eCon Planning Suite data, translates community input into priorities and projects, aligns narratives to budget/IDIS activity structures, and ensures materials are submission-ready and monitoring-ready. The Lead also coordinates required public notices, hearings, translations/ADA accommodations, and maintains the public comment record. Key Responsibilities Consolidated Planning & Performance Lead author for Con Plan / AAP / CAPER sections (needs assessment, market analysis, strategic plan, goals/outcomes, project tables, performance narratives). Manage eCon Planning Suite workflows; ensure alignment between planned projects and IDIS setup/activity funding. Coordinate internal and partner inputs (departments, subrecipients, CHDOs, service providers) to develop priorities, goals, and measurable outcomes. Maintain a planning calendar keyed to the City’s program year, ensuring timely publication, comment windows, and submissions. Citizen Participation (24 CFR Part 91) Implement the City’s Citizen Participation Plan: schedule public hearings (≥ required minimum), publish notices, and manage ≥30-day comment periods (or as adopted by the City). Ensure language access/translation, ADA accommodations, and inclusive outreach (targeted engagement for LMI, seniors, persons with disabilities, LEP populations). Compile and maintain the public comment log, responses, sign-in sheets, hearing minutes, and proof of publication for inclusion in AAP/CAPER appendices. Data, Targeting, and Program Design Develop a neighborhood-based market analysis to inform geographic targeting and activity mix; synthesize ACS/eCon indicators with local datasets (housing, code, health, transit, workforce). Convert priorities to funded projects with clear eligibility, national objectives (CDBG), expected outputs/outcomes, and performance measures. Partner with the Financial & IDIS Lead to ensure budgets, PR26 implications, and IDIS activity codes/matrix codes match narratives and goals. Coordination & Compliance Work with the Environmental Review Specialist to sequence ERR milestones with plan approvals and activity commitments (avoid choice-limiting actions). Support policy and procedure updates that affect planning, amendments/substantial amendments, and public participation. Prepare Council/Board briefings and talking points for leadership. Training & Capacity Building Deliver short planning labs for staff/subrecipients (project design, accomplishment reporting, outcome narratives, citizen participation documentation). Develop templates and job aids (notice boilerplates, minutes format, comment response matrix, project description standards). Reporting & Quality Assurance Maintain a planning dashboard (milestones, hearings, comments, submissions). Run two-person reviews for all public documents; ensure consistency of figures across eCon, IDIS, budgets, and narratives. Prepare a lessons-learned memo post-CAPER; propose improvements to the next cycle. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration/Policy, or related field (Master’s preferred). 3–5+ years experience preparing Con Plan, AAP, and CAPER for HUD entitlement communities. Demonstrated fluency with 24 CFR Part 91, CDBG (24 CFR 570) and HOME (24 CFR 92) basics, and the eCon Planning Suite. Experience organizing public hearings/meetings, writing notices, and managing comment records with translation/ADA accommodations. Strong writing and editing skills; ability to synthesize data into clear, reviewer-friendly narratives. Proficiency with data tools (Excel; basic GIS or data visualization preferred). Preferred Qualifications Prior work with IDIS (activity setup concepts, accomplishment reporting) and coordination with finance teams on PR reports. Experience with HOME-ARP planning requirements and equitable engagement strategies. Familiarity with Section 108 policy elements as they relate to plan goals/projects. Bilingual (English/Spanish or other prevalent local language) a plus; experience with community-based facilitation. Core Competencies Regulatory literacy (Part 91) and deadline discipline. Clear, accessible public communication and meeting facilitation. Data storytelling—turning indicators into priorities, goals, and measurable outcomes. Collaboration across departments and with subrecipients/partners. Meticulous documentation and records management. Deliverables & KPIs Con Plan / AAP / CAPER: complete, timely, accepted by HUD (0 material deficiencies). Citizen Participation Dossier: notices, minutes, sign-ins, comment matrix, translations, publication proofs (100% complete). Planning Calendar: on schedule; ≥95% milestones met. Engagement Reach: target attendance/participation benchmarks (e.g., representation from priority neighborhoods and special populations). Consistency Metrics: no unresolved discrepancies between eCon, IDIS budgets, and narratives at submission. Training: ≥2 staff/subrecipient sessions per year; ≥80% post-test competency. Day-to-Day Activities (Typical Week) Draft/iterate AAP or CAPER sections; coordinate numbers with IDIS/finance. Prepare and post public notices; confirm venue/accessibility/translation for an upcoming hearing. Facilitate stakeholder work session; update the comment log and response matrix. Update the planning dashboard and brief the Project Director on risks/changes. Review a subrecipient project description for eligibility and outcome clarity. Compliance & Ethics Adhere to 24 CFR Part 91 and City-adopted Citizen Participation Plan. Maintain minimum-necessary disclosure of PII; ensure public transparency while protecting privacy. Uphold records retention standards and version control for all public documents. Work Conditions Hybrid work; evening hearings as scheduled; occasional field visits/community meetings. Ability to lift/carry meeting materials and set up public engagement spaces when needed. How to ApplySubmit a résumé/CV, two writing samples (e.g., AAP/CAPER sections or public notices with comment summaries), and a brief example of a community engagement plan you led (including outreach to LMI or LEP populations). Include three professional references familiar with your HUD planning work. Job Types: Full-time, Contract Pay: Up to $115,000.00 per year Benefits: Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Work Location: Hybrid remote in East Orange, NJ 07017