Entry Level Land Development Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Title: Project Coordinator (Entry Level) – Commercial Building Permits

Job Description

The Project Coordinator manages commercial building permit applications from initial submission through final approval, ensuring projects move smoothly and efficiently through local jurisdictional processes. This role serves as a central liaison between architects, engineers, contractors, and permitting agencies, providing administrative support, tracking documentation, and resolving roadblocks. The position is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and an effective communicator, with the ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. While experience in architecture, civil engineering, construction, or permitting is preferred, there is strong openness to training candidates with the right aptitude, responsiveness, and willingness to learn. This opportunity offers meaningful involvement in a growing business unit with long-term growth potential and a clear path for internal promotion.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial building permit applications from initial submission through approval, ensuring all documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Act as a liaison between architects, engineers, contractors, and local jurisdictions to coordinate permitting activities and maintain clear communication among all stakeholders.
• Perform detailed data entry and maintain accurate records of permit applications, project status, correspondence, and approvals.
• Provide administrative support to project teams, including preparing, organizing, and controlling documents related to permitting and project coordination.
• Monitor permitting timelines and proactively follow up with agencies and stakeholders to move projects forward and resolve delays or roadblocks.
• Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and keep permitting activities on schedule.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in writing and verbally with internal teams and external contacts to clarify requirements, address questions, and provide status updates.
• Ensure strong follow-through on all assigned tasks, tracking outstanding items and confirming completion of permitting requirements.
• Use Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools to organize data, track progress, and generate reports related to permits and project coordination.
• Support the growth of the business unit by contributing to efficient permitting processes and identifying opportunities to improve workflows.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of documentation, data entry, and communication.
• Demonstrate responsiveness, proactivity, and persistence when following up with stakeholders and agencies to ensure timely approvals.

Essential Skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for interacting with architects, engineers, contractors, and local jurisdictions.
• High level of attention to detail with strong follow-through on tasks and commitments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and composure.
• Responsive, proactive, and persistent approach to following up with stakeholders and resolving issues.
• Self-starter mindset, capable of working independently and taking ownership of tasks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel, and general administrative software.
• Experience with data entry, project coordination, permitting processes, and document control is strongly preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in or exposure to architecture, civil engineering, construction, or permitting is preferred but not required.
• Experience providing administrative support in a professional services or project-based environment.
• Ability to learn permitting requirements and processes across different jurisdictions.
• Comfort working with diverse project types, including commercial and multi-use developments.
• Aptitude for building strong working relationships with internal teams and external agencies.
• Willingness to grow with a business unit that is expanding into architecture and building engineering.
• Interest in long-term career development with a company that actively promotes from within.

Work Environment

The role is based in Montgomery Village, Maryland within a firm that provides civil engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, and land planning services throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. The organization has a long-standing history of successful projects in both private and public sectors, including urban design, streetscapes, commercial developments, multi-use projects, institutional facilities, parks and recreation, and high-end residential homes. The work environment is professional, project-focused, and fast-paced, offering exposure to many different types of projects primarily in Montgomery County and Frederick County. The company is growing rapidly and expanding into architecture and building engineering, creating strong opportunities for advancement and internal promotion. Team members typically use Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, along with general administrative and project documentation systems to manage information and support project delivery. Attire is consistent with a professional office setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Montgomery Village, MD.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Montgomery Village,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.