Planner - Regulatory

Title: Planner - Regulatory

Division: Planning and Landscape Architecture                               

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals who take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and our employees' long-term professional and financial success. With more than 60 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future. 

As a Planner - Regulatory at LJA Planning & Landscape Architecture, you will play an important role in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and preparing governmental approval documents. The projects you will work on will include zoning, platting, variance requests, major thoroughfare plan amendments, and long-range planning documents such as Master Plans and Comprehensive Plans. Your responsibilities will include learning the regulatory approval process for various jurisdictions, understanding zoning codes and documents, preparing documents during the platting process, aiding the preparation of long-range planning documents, and maintaining a strong knowledge of city requirements. Additionally, you will contribute to the design process and assist with interpreting city ordinances.

General Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the regulatory team, receiving direction, guidance, and oversight from Project Managers and Principals on a broad range of project types and scales to prepare design presentations, feasibility studies, master plans, general plans, guideline documents, site plans, concept plans, and lotting studies. Projects range from commercial, mixed-use, industrial, and residential developments to urban design, town center re-developments, historic preservation or adaptive reuse, and long-range planning documents such as Comprehensive Plans and Master Plans.
• Must have the desire to work in a team-based environment with the ability to assist with multiple project assignments, meet given project/production deadlines, produce high-quality end products, and be a strong contributor.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, expand knowledge, improve skill sets, and show progressive improvement.
• Ability to effectively convey ideas, actively listen, and collaborate with team members, clients, and stakeholders. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for sharing information accurately and fostering open dialogue, contributing to a collaborative and professional work environment.
• Knowledge and experience with a broad range of graphical representations with the ability to innovate and provide high-quality presentations and documents as required.
• May be required to visit project sites to photograph existing conditions, identify opportunities and constraints, collect data and information, and/or observe, photograph, and prepare reports on construction progress.
• Assist in filing plans as necessary to various jurisdictions.
• Research planning trends, codes, jurisdictional ordinances, and specific project-related concepts.
• Attend Planning & Zoning and City Council meetings as the applicant to address any questions or comments by the Commissioners or Council members

Required Experience:  1 to 3 years, preferably with at least 1 year at a public entity (City, County, Toll Authority, Council of Governments, etc.)

Required Education:

• BA or BS in Planning, Public Administration, or other applicable degree

Preferred Skills:

• Previous design experience, such as understanding design requirements like minimum radii or tangent lengths for specific street types
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Adobe Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) Sketch-Up, Acrobat Pro, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong communication and graphic skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment and build strong relationships.
• AICP or the ability to obtain certification within an appropriate time frame