Description

Our Team 
 
The Lakota Group prides itself as a dynamic team of diverse individuals with a variety of creative backgrounds who seek innovative, meaningful, and realistically achievable solutions to support the communities we serve. We are an award-winning firm specializing in a broad spectrum of services interwoven in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Arts and Culture, and Community Engagement. We are place-makers, focused on helping communities achieve active and meaningful spaces that enrich public life through careful dialogue and understanding of community values. 
 
We are collaborators and find success throughout the country partnering with public, private and institutional clients on a broad array of community planning. This includes site development plans, open space planning, public parks, plazas, streetscape design, and more. 
 
 
Your Role 
 
We are seeking the right individual who’s passionate about driving continuous improvement – within our company, their own career development, and the communities we serve. The ideal individual not only needs to have the requisite experience, but must bring a well-balanced blend of attributes, including a creative collaborative spirit, design talent, core skill competencies, drive, enthusiasm, and dedication to help further enhance our company brand.  We seek your ideas and entrepreneurial spirit to help lead and manage a variety of challenging projects. As part of a diverse group of talented individuals from various design disciplines, your role will require: 
 
Project Design and Leadership – Conceptualize, design, produce, and manage a diverse range of unique projects from start to finish. Your role is pivotal in balancing project flow, production, and communication on multiple project fronts. Verbal, written, graphic, and detailed design skills will be required to effectively communicate and illustrate ideas and solutions both internally and externally. Critical to the role is the need to understand and manage client expectations throughout the entire process. 
 
Team Collaboration - We’re all in this together. You will work hand-in-hand with Lakota’s Senior design and planning staff, and company leadership to craft a successful process, ensure on-time execution of deliverables, and ensure each project reaches a seamless and successful conclusion. In this role, you will be supporting and mentoring your team associates and aligning their growth and learning objectives with project and firm goals. 
 
Client and Budget Management – In collaboration with Senior staff and leadership you will be given the torch to help manage and support on-going, new, and existing client and consultant relationships to ensure project expectations and deliverables align with the overall vision. In this role, you will be assisting the leadership team with sound project financial management, tracking project budgets, developing cost estimates, and overseeing timely invoicing. 
 
Quality Assurance – Lakota upholds the highest standard in the quality of our work, our data, and our deliverables. Your role will be to work in tandem with other team members to meet these standards through collaborative and meticulous reviews of plan production, report narrative content, and financial/cost budgeting. 
 
Team Spirit – We value diversity and are seeking someone who not only loves their work and profession but also brings new ideas to a fun and energetic group of individuals. Be a part of our team, contribute to our supportive company work environment, and enjoy the rewards of being part of our thriving firm. 
 
 
Your Skills 
 
Design Experience and Expertise – Demonstrated progressive design experience and understanding in site design, landscape architecture, urban design, design development, and detailed site and landscape planting design. Proficiency in both hand-drawn and computer-generated graphics is essential. 
 
Project Management – Demonstrated skills and abilities in successful project and team management of site and landscape design projects from conceptualization through full implementation. 
 
Technical Proficiency – Demonstrated strong technical skills including proficiency in computer software programs such as, but not limited to AutoCAD, Sketchup, Lumion, and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with technical writing such as project specifications, permits, reports, and proposals is essential. 
 
Communications and Organization – Our firm requires exceptional written, verbal, and organizational skills. While we understand that not everyone may possess perfect communication abilities from the start, we highly value this skill set. We are committed to working with our staff to develop and enhance these skills, ensuring each team member can achieve their best. 

Requirements

Education & Experience 
 
We are seeking a candidate with a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in landscape architecture, site design, land planning, and/or urban design.   
 
A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or urban design from an accredited university is a prerequisite for this position. 
 
Preference will be given to candidates who are either currently pursuing or plan to pursue professional landscape architectural registration soon, although this is not a requirement for initial hiring. 

Join Our Team 
 
At Lakota, we provide more than a job – it's an opportunity to forge a career with a mission-driven team deeply passionate about shaping environments and enriching communities. We provide a beautiful and enjoyable work environment, coupled with a competitive compensation and benefits package, all reflecting our strong commitment to the well-being and growth of our team members. 
 
Let’s chat! We would love to have you be part of our Lakota family. 
 
Benefits 

• Competitive compensation
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Retirement plan  
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Hybrid work options  
• Annual bonuses
• Professional membership coverage

Please send your resume, pdf portfolio, and a simple cover letter expressing your interest in joining the Lakota Group to: jobs.lakota@gmail.com 
 
Attn: Kevin Clark, PLA, AICP 
Principal/Director of Design 
The Lakota Group 
1 East Wacker Dr. Suite 2700 
Chicago, IL 60601 
www.thelakotagroup.com