ROW Project Manager - Transportation

LJA Engineering, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonuses

Community Impact Initiatives

Professional Development Memberships

Career Growth Opportunities

Company Social Events

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm in Austin, Texas, seeks an experienced Project Manager to oversee complex real estate acquisition projects for a major transit initiative. Ideal candidates will possess at least 10 years of public infrastructure experience, familiarity with the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act, and strong project management skills. Responsibilities include managing subconsultants, ensuring project compliance, and leading technical reviews. The firm offers comprehensive benefits, generous time off, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing or providing support for public infrastructure projects.
• Experience working on complex public infrastructure projects with significant parcel counts.
• Active Texas Notary or ability to obtain notary status within two months.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day delivery of the real estate acquisition transit project.
• Manage subconsultants and oversee invoicing/payments.
• Review subconsultant submissions for completeness and documentation.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Critical Thinking

Leadership

Technical Review

Education

Degree in Real Estate, Engineering, or related field

International Right of Way Association (IRWA) SR/WA certification

Tools

MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

SharePoint

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Project Manager at LJA Transportation, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a large, complex real estate acquisition program for a major transit project. The position functions as a day‑to‑day extension of the Project Manager, with a strong emphasis on detailed execution, technical review, quality control, and Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970 compliance.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE

• Supporting day‑to‑day delivery of a large real estate acquisition transit project
• Managing subconsultants, assuming responsibility for invoicing/payments
• Reviewing subconsultant submittals to ensure completeness and documentation
• Providing detailed technical review and quality control of acquisition and relocation work products
• Serving as a technical lead for Uniform Act compliance, including interpretation of requirements and consistency across documentation
• Assisting with implementation of client’s real estate acquisition management plan, acquisition procedures, relocation procedures, and internal workflows
• Participating in short‑term and long‑range planning related to parcel sequencing, staffing needs, and schedule risk
• Coordinating acquisition and relocation activities across multiple parcels, disciplines, and consultants
• Reviewing schedules, trackers, and dashboards to ensure accuracy, completeness, and usability
• Coordinating with appraisal, appraisal review, negotiation, relocation, legal, environmental, survey and engineering teams
• Participating in internal and external project meetings, occasionally leading meetings or work sessions as delegated
• Assisting the Project Manager with issue identification, risk management, and resolution of day‑to‑day challenges
• Helping prepare for agency reviews, audits, workshops, and coordination meetings
• Providing technical guidance and leading/mentoring project staff
• Preparing presentations and reports and effectively communicating in a variety of mediums
• Assisting the Project Manager with financial analysis to track the project’s profitability
• Tracking the project team’s workload and evaluating potential staffing needs

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS

• International Right of Way Association (IRWA) SR/WA certification. Additional credentials are a plus.
• Texas Real Estate Sales Agent’s or Broker’s license (Texas law license may be substituted) or ability to obtain one through reciprocity with another state’s real estate licensing agency
• Active Texas Notary, or ability to obtain notary status within two months of employment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing or providing direct support for managing public infrastructure projects
• Demonstrated experience in working with, understanding, and interpreting the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, as amended
• Experience working on large, complex public infrastructure projects with significant parcel counts and varied acquisition types
• Experience working on highly visible projects with aggressive schedules
• Strong experience performing detailed reviews of acquisition and relocation documentation for accuracy and compliance
• Familiarity with eminent domain processes and coordination with legal counsel on complex or contested acquisitions
• Experience working in dense urban or central business district environments involving partial acquisitions, access impacts, phasing constraints, and stakeholder sensitivity
• Familiarity with acquisition appraisal elements (such as USPAP) and methodology
• Proficient with MS Office Suite, especially Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Proficient with using SharePoint and client‑based systems
• Valid Driver’s License (good driving record and ability to travel as project needs required)
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships
• Ability to lead/manage a team of right of way professionals

IDEALLY YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE

• Experience working on Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and light rail projects
• Experience supporting or developing a Real Estate Acquisition Management Plan (RAMP) or similar program‑level plan for a large infrastructure program
• Knowledge of real estate and growth in the Austin metropolitan area
• Experience supporting multi‑year, program‑level projects with evolving scopes, schedules, and regulatory requirements
• Managed projects from schedule, financial, and contractual perspectives
• Experience coordinating complex acquisition and relocation programs involving multiple parcels and stakeholders
• Possess a degree in real estate, engineering, or related field

MIND/BODY ENDURANCE

• Critical thinking and problem‑solving attributes
• Intra‑office and inter‑office mobility required to attend project meetings, client meetings, and meetings with team members and support staff
• Actively participate in meetings to follow up with team members and clients on action items
• Ability to accurately work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Capable of quickly evaluating accuracy in real estate acquisition documents
• Sit for extended periods of time working on a computer with various software applications

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

• 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.

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.