Associate Landscape Designer - PLA

LJA Engineering; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

LJA Engineering is seeking an Associate Landscape Designer to support landscape architecture projects with growing independence and professional judgment. You’ll collaborate with project leaders to develop concepts, plans, specs, and cost analyses, ensuring quality control and timely delivery.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years of landscape architecture experience, a degree in landscape architecture, and proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Degree in landscape architecture or a related field.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Participating in the development of preliminary design concepts.
• Preparing comparative cost analyses, drafting plans, and writing preliminary specifications.
• Recognizing discrepancies in results and making appropriate changes.
• Scheduling meetings to discuss project direction and following procedures through completion.
• Taking increasing responsibility for task management.
• Maintaining familiarity with LJA’s practices, procedures, and standards.
• Performing limited quality control reviews within areas of expertise.
• Working as a team member on unusual or complex problems.

Skills

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Oral and written communication

Professional development

Education

Landscape architecture degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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 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 an Associate Landscape Designer on the Planning and Landscape Architecture team at LJA, you will support the development of landscape architecture projects with growing independence, professional judgment, and responsibility. This role works closely with project and team leaders under general supervision while contributing to design concepts, plans, specifications, cost analyses, and quality control reviews. The ideal candidate is collaborative, detail-oriented, technically capable, and committed to continued professional development.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Participating in the development of preliminary design concepts.
• Preparing comparative cost analyses, drafting plans, and writing preliminary specifications.
• Recognizing discrepancies in results and making appropriate changes.
• Scheduling meetings to discuss project direction and following procedures through completion.
• Taking increasing responsibility for task management.
• Maintaining familiarity with LJA’s practices, procedures, and standards.
• Performing limited quality control reviews within areas of expertise.
• Working as a team member on unusual or complex problems.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Degree in landscape architecture or a related field.
• Licensure is not required at this level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in landscape architecture.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• A strong understanding of the professional role.
• Continuing on-the-job training and participating in outside seminars.
• Involvement in related professional organizations, professional development programs, and training.
• Basic knowledge of local applicable codes, including TAS, pool, mitigation, sign, and minimum compliance plans.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• Growing independence with the ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work closely with project and team leaders under general supervision.
• Willingness to share knowledge with technical and support staff.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing plans, specifications, and project information.
• Ability to collaborate effectively on unusual or complex problems.

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, 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.