Project Planner

Pape-Dawson • Chattanooga, TN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Pape-Dawson’s Chattanooga team and build your career in one of the city’s most distinctive office settings—inside the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, a former train station transformed into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Located in a space that once housed a guitar museum, the office is full of character and reflects the creativity and community spirit of downtown Chattanooga. For nearly 15 years, our team of approximately 35 professionals and field staff has provided trusted local expertise and responsive service across the region. Our multidisciplinary team delivers civil engineering, landscape architecture, planning, surveying, construction engineering and inspection, and environmental services. From the transformation of former industrial land into The Bend, a dynamic mixed-use downtown neighborhood, to multifamily developments such as One Riverside, our professionals contribute to projects that are shaping Chattanooga’s future. Team members have the opportunity to make a visible impact, collaborate with clients and public agencies, and work alongside experienced project managers in an office that brings together meaningful work, strong relationships, and an exceptional downtown location.

Overview
The Project Planner leads the planning and design of land-use projects for federal, state, and local/municipal clients from concept through implementation. The role combines technical expertise, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary coordination to deliver high-quality planning solutions that comply with regulations and meet client expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Community/Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of professional planning experience.
• Active AICP certification.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, or other relevant software applications.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Understanding of local zoning and land use regulations, environmental codes, and planning principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and design of land-use projects from conceptualization through implementation.
• Conduct site analysis, including land suitability, environmental impact, and infrastructure assessment.
• Prepare comprehensive planning documents, zoning analyses, and design guidelines.
• Collaborate with engineering, landscape architecture, and environmental teams to integrate multidisciplinary inputs.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff members.
• Coordinate community engagement and facilitate client and stakeholder meetings.
• Stay current on zoning, environmental, and land-use policy developments.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level