Job Description:
Ragan Smith, a Pape-Dawson company, is seeking a full-time Land Planner / Urban Designer to join our Landscape Architecture and Land Planning Studio based in our Murfreesboro or Chattanooga office. The ideal candidate is creative, collaborative, and has a passion for creating places that are authentic, innovative, and functional. This position will have an opportunity to work on a broad range of projects with a focus on public sector work, planning, and design including community comprehensive plans, parks and recreation planning and design, community mobility and alternative transportation plans, streetscape and urban design, green infrastructure, civic center, and downtown master planning.
RaganSmith is looking to grow our flourishing community planning and urban design practice with a proven contributor. This position will have the opportunity to work with experienced AICP planners, registered LAs and Civil Engineers but should have a demonstrated record of success in developing plans, projects, and policy documents for community-based projects. The selected candidate will also demonstrate a passion and aptitude for planning and designing the public realm, an understanding of both comprehensive planning concepts and neighborhood scale planning implementation. The candidate should demonstrate comfort engaging community members in the design process, and translating community input into functional plans, policy, and designs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Support senior planners and/or project managers in producing master planning documents for federal, state and local municipal projects
Support project team in data collection and data analysis
Preparation of reports, findings, and strategies
Production of plans and maps, GIS production, report graphics production, and workshop meeting documentation
Support project teams and sometimes lead client workshops
Experience in monitoring and maintaining a project framework, budget, and schedule
Review and edit planning and design documents throughout a project lifecycle
Assist department leads in preparing proposals and assigning project teams
Potential for occasional travel and nighttime city engagement meetings
Additional related duties as assigned
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to efficiently read, comprehend, and interpret a variety of community plans, resource documents, and data sources (including GIS)
Candidates with transportation planning background and experience creating safety action plans, safe streets for all plans, vision zero strategies, and other forms of multi-use or safety related transportation strategy document
Comfortable facilitating small group discussions and building consensus
Possess a functional understanding of comprehensive planning and policy documents, zoning and development codes, entitlement process, and transportation plans
Manage and mentor a team to meet project goals and deadlines
Perform and manage the design of projects in ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, and MS Office platforms
Coordinate and lead meetings with clients, design professionals, reviewing agencies, state agencies, development districts, and nonprofit agencies
Help lead and document community engagement and public input
Have a general understanding of federal and state grant administration
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Environmental Planning & Design, or a related field
3-7+ years of experience in land planning and design
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, and MS Office
Expertise in at least one of the following platforms: ArcGIS Pro, Esri Business Analyst, CAD, Revit, or other similar programs
Adaptability and time management
Ability to work independently as well as in multi-disciplinary teams
AICP certification or ability to obtain within 6 months
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Long-term and short-term disability coverage
Generous PTO and paid holidays
401(k) safe harbor contribution plus 10% employer matching
Premium time paid out to eligible salaried employees when over 40 hours are worked in a week
Annual salary review and bonus
Tuition and gym reimbursements
Parental leave
Flexible work environment
Focus on work-life balance
RaganSmith was founded in 1933 as a land surveying company. More than nine decades later, we have grown into an interdisciplinary consulting firm of experienced civil engineers, landscape architects, transportation experts, savvy surveyors, and brilliant land planners serving the private and public sectors. In 2024, RaganSmith joined the Pape-Dawson family of companies. Pape-Dawson is an industry-leading, future-focused civil engineering and professional services firm with nationwide locations.
RaganSmith is an equal opportunity employer recognizing the value of a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, and/or protected veteran status in accordance with governing laws.
Please submit a portfolio of relevant work to be considered.
EEO Statement:
All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.