Land Planner

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; SOUTH PLAINFIELD (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is seeking a Land Planner in New Jersey to analyze sites for feasibility, evaluate development potential, and draft concept/site plans.

You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with zoning and regulatory requirements. The role requires a background in urban planning or civil disciplines, proficiency with AutoCAD and GIS, and experience presenting to municipal bodies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• 3-7 years of land planning/site planning experience in NJ or similar regulatory environment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for site plan production.
• Working knowledge of GIS for site analysis and data mapping.
• Experience with SketchUp or similar 3D modeling tools.
• Familiarity with local zoning ordinances and MLUL.
• Strong written and verbal communication; experience presenting to municipal bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead site analysis and feasibility studies to support development decisions.
• Guide concept design translating objectives into planning solutions.
• Prepare municipal application materials and participate in hearings.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with architecture, civil engineering, and entitlements teams.

Skills

3-7 years experience

Written communication

Presentation to authorities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

AICP certification

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

SketchUp

Job description

Land Planner

Key Responsibilities

Site Analysis & Feasibility

• Research, analyze, and compile public records, municipal data, and regulatory information to support site feasibility assessments.
• Evaluate sites for development potential, including bulk standards, topography, environmental constraints, wetlands, flood zones, and utility availability.
• Read and interpret local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and master plans to determine what is achievable on a given site.
• Identify opportunities and constraints early so the development team can make informed go/no-go decisions with confidence.

Concept Design & Site Planning

• Lead early-stage concept design for sites, translating development objectives and site constraints into viable planning solutions.
• Develop and draft detailed site plans that reflect a practical understanding of how land use, circulation, grading, and program interact.
• Utilize 3D modeling and visualization software to help ownership and project teams understand and evaluate site options before committing resources.
• Iterate quickly across multiple design scenarios to support development decision-making at the earliest project stages.

Municipal Applications & Presentations

• Prepare drawings, exhibits, and supporting materials for municipal land use applications, including planning board and zoning board submissions.
• Develop clear, compelling presentations that communicate project concepts to internal stakeholders, municipal officials, and community members.
• Coordinate with the entitlements team to ensure all planning materials align with approval strategy and regulatory requirements.
• Attend municipal hearings and meetings as needed to support the entitlements process.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with architecture, civil engineering, and entitlements teams to develop projects in a fully integrated manner from the outset.
• Serve as a key connector between site constraints, regulatory requirements, and design ambitions - ensuring all disciplines are working from the same understanding of a site.
• Contribute to project feasibility analyses and due diligence reviews alongside development and acquisition teams.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 3-7 years of experience in land planning, site planning, or land development in New Jersey or a comparable regulatory environment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for site plan production.
• Working knowledge of GIS for site analysis and data mapping.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for presentation and exhibit production.
• Experience with SketchUp or comparable 3D modeling tools for site visualization.
• Demonstrated ability to read and apply local zoning ordinances and land use regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to municipal bodies or public stakeholders.
• AICP certification or active pursuit of certification.
• Familiarity with NJ land use law, the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), and NJ planning board processes.
• Experience working on multi-family, mixed-use, or large-scale residential land development projects.
• Comfort leveraging AI tools to enhance workflow efficiency and visualization output.
• Experience supporting or managing third-party planning consultants.