Planner - PLA

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 Planner at LJA Planning and Landscape Architecture you will support long-range planning and development projects by analyzing data, creating graphics, and helping translate technical planning concepts into accessible, visually driven materials. This role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented individual who enjoys blending planning, design, research, and storytelling. You will work closely with Project Managers and senior staff to prepare maps, diagrams, illustrations, development concepts, project presentations, and graphic-rich planning documents such as master plans, general plans, corridor studies, and community engagement materials.

This position is well-suited for self-starters who think outside the box, are eager to learn, and are motivated to produce high-quality visual products in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Synthesizing data (demographics, land use, mobility, housing, environmental layers, development feasibility) into digestible visual formats.
• Preparing graphics for public meetings, stakeholder workshops, long-range plans, concept plans, feasibility studies, land use alternatives, and visual preference surveys.
• Supporting scenario planning tasks by converting analysis outputs into maps, charts, and illustrative diagrams.
• Assisting with development planning tasks such as conceptual site layouts, lotting studies, development standards exhibits, and redevelopment concepts.
• Working with senior staff to refine visual narratives for planning documents and reports.
• Researching relevant planning trends, best practices, and jurisdictional codes to inform project recommendations.
• Preparing meeting materials, presentations, handouts, and easy-to-understand infographics for community engagement.
• Assisting with field visits to document existing site conditions and identify opportunities and constraints.
• Collaborating with teammates across planning, landscape architecture, GIS, and engineering to support integrated project deliverables.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Public Administration, or a closely related design or planning field.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• Experience preparing planning graphics for public-facing documents such as master plans, vision plans, concept plans, or community engagement materials.
• Exposure to AutoCAD or other drafting/technical layout tools.
• Interest in land development, redevelopment strategies, and long-range planning frameworks.
• Understanding of how planning concepts (land use, mobility, parks/open space, housing, infrastructure) translate into visual design.
• Comfort presenting ideas visually and verbally in group settings.
• A proactive mindset — self-starters who aren’t afraid to ask questions, bring new ideas, and try creative approaches.

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. 

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.