Assistant Project Manager - Regulatory Planning

WHAT LJA HAS TO OFFER

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Assistant Project Manager at LJA Land Development, you will be responsible for assisting with the managing and coordinating of projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and facilitating the approval process. These projects could include items such as zoning, platting, variance requests, and major thoroughfare plan amendments. Your responsibilities will consist of understanding the regulatory approval process for various jurisdictions, presenting project proposals to governing bodies and clients, demonstrated knowledge of zoning codes and documents, managing and assisting with the preparation of documents during the platting process, and maintaining strong knowledge of city requirements. Additionally, you will contribute to the design process, interpret city ordinances, and demonstrate initiative in project management.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Regulatory Approval Process:
  • Possess a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory approval process for various jurisdictions, including zoning, platting, land development regulations, and long-range planning documents.
  • Stay updated on changes in regulations and ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Presentation Skills:
  • Continuously enhance your presentation skills to effectively communicate project proposals to Planning and Zoning Commissions, City Councils, Zoning Boards of Adjustment, etc.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present confidently and effectively under duress or challenging situations.
• Zoning Documents:
  • Have a strong understanding of zoning documents and regulations, including the ability to write a zoning document from start to finish.
  • Ensure zoning documents align with project requirements, local regulations, and community objectives.
• Platting Project Management:
  • Assist with managing platting projects from submittal to approval with limited direction, ensuring adherence to project timelines and requirements.
  • Coordinate with various stakeholders, including surveyors, engineers, and legal teams, to gather information and documentation for platting submittals.
  • Demonstrate strong leadership skills to effectively lead the regulatory team in preparing plats, especially during competing deadlines.
• City Requirements:
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of each city's requirements, processes, and procedures for all development projects, such as zoning, platting, variance requests, and major thoroughfare amendments.
  • Efficiently obtain necessary submittal items, such as Letters of Authorization, Letters of No Objection, Signed Applications, TIAs, engineering one-lines, etc., for project submittals.
• Design Process and Criteria:
  • Possess a general understanding of the design process, including identifying when design elements do not meet jurisdictional criteria or project requirements.
  • Familiarity with standard design criteria, such as minimum radii for road types, block length requirements, square footages, and typical radii on curb returns.
• Plat Development:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in reviewing plats for accuracy and completeness, identifying missing or incorrect information, including land divisions, easements, setbacks, regulatory notes and other required platting elements. .
  • Maintain attention to detail and ensure a high level of accuracy in plat development (consistent fonts, text size, easement information, title blocks, etc.).
• Fast-Paced Environment:
  • Perform well in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines and effectively managing competing priorities.
  • Maintain composure and problem-solving abilities in challenging project scenarios.
• Follow-through and Initiative:
  • Take the initiative in keeping projects moving forward without reminders or requests, proactively addressing tasks, and seeking solutions to obstacles.
  • Demonstrate high self-motivation and reliability in fulfilling requested items and completing assigned tasks.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or the ability to achieve it within an appropriate time period.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience, preferably with at least 1 year at a public entity (City, County, Toll Authority, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of regulatory approval processes for various jurisdictions.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations.
• Familiarity with zoning documents and the ability to write them from start to finish.
• Experience in managing platting projects, from submittal to approval, with minimal guidance.
• Sound understanding of city requirements and the ability to gather necessary items for project submittals.
• Proficiency in interpreting city ordinances and applying them to project designs.
• Knowledge of standard design criteria and their application to project development.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to build plats accurately and efficiently, review and prepare zoning documents, review and prepare exhibits for inclusion with city submittals, or exhibits by client request.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to perform well under high-stress situations.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• AutoCAD, Adobe Suite

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.