Backyard Design & Permit Research VA for Luxury Hillside Home Project – Claremont, CA

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: TYPE OF WORK

Gig

: SALARY

150000

: HOURS PER WEEK

60

: DATE UPDATED

Mar 31, 2026

JOB OVERVIEW

We are looking for a highly capable, detail-obsessed Virtual Assistant to help lead the design coordination, research, and planning process for a luxury backyard project at our home in Claremont, California.

This is not a basic Pinterest or Canva role.

We want someone who can take a high-end inspiration concept and turn it into a serious, organized, buildable project package that helps us move toward real-world execution with the correct local professionals.

The backyard we want is inspired by elevated luxury hillside designs with features such as:
• resort-style pool and spa
• multi-level hardscape / terraced layout
• integrated stairs and retaining features
• fire feature
• premium lighting
• outdoor lounge / entertaining areas
• strong visual symmetry
• clean, modern, upscale finish selections
• hillside-aware planning and drainage-conscious design

The property is on a sloped lot in Claremont, CA, so the design must be grounded in real feasibility, not just aesthetics.

Your Role

You will act as a design coordinator + research lead + project management VA.

You will help us:
1. translate our inspiration into a realistic design direction
2. research local permitting, zoning, pool, retaining wall, grading, drainage, and hillside constraints
3. organize all findings into a clear decision-making package
4. source and coordinate the right professionals needed for permit-ready plans
5. help us avoid wasting time on concepts that are not actually buildable

Core Responsibilities
• Review our inspiration images/videos and extract the key design language
• Create a polished concept brief for the backyard vision
• Develop 2–3 layout concepts based on the lot conditions and slope challenges
• Research City of Claremont requirements related to:
• pool/spa permits
• retaining walls
• grading
• slope setbacks
• fencing / pool barriers
• drainage considerations
• landscape documentation requirements
• Call or email local city departments, contractors, designers, engineers, and expeditors when needed
• Build a list of required professionals for execution, such as:
• pool designer / pool contractor
• landscape architect or landscape designer
• structural engineer
• civil engineer
• geotechnical engineer
• surveyor
• permit expeditor
• Source highly rated local firms in Southern California / Inland Empire / Los Angeles County
• Build vendor comparison sheets with:
• scope
• pricing
• timing
• reviews
• strengths / weaknesses
• Prepare a likely permitting roadmap and project sequence
• Organize everything into clean folders, trackers, summaries, and presentations
• Help coordinate revisions and next steps until we have a serious pre-construction direction

Deliverables

We expect the VA to produce:
• a luxury concept / inspiration board
• a backyard vision brief
• a site feasibility research summary
• city/permit research notes with sources
• a list of likely required permits and consultant types
• a local vendor shortlist
• a rough project phasing plan
• a budget range matrix
• a decision memo on the best next step
• weekly progress updates with real movement, not filler

Required Skills
• Excellent research ability
• Strong English writing and communication
• Ability to think critically, not just gather surface-level information
• Experience coordinating construction, architecture, landscape, pool, or permitting projects
• Ability to create polished summaries, spreadsheets, and presentations
• Strong visual taste for luxury residential design
• Organized, responsive, and proactive
• Able to distinguish between a concept drawing and something actually permit-feasible

Strong Preference For Candidates With Experience In:
• luxury residential projects
• pool / spa design coordination
• hillside or slope-site projects
• California permitting research
• landscape architecture support
• construction coordination
• vendor sourcing and bid comparison

Important

This role is about building a real-world actionable plan.

We are not looking for someone who only sends inspiration photos or generic design ideas.

We want someone who can help bridge the gap between:
vision -> feasibility -> professional team -> execution

To Apply

Please send:
1. a short introduction
2. examples of any design coordination, architecture, pool, landscape, or permitting-related work
3. examples of research summaries / project trackers / presentations you have created
4. a brief explanation of how you would approach a luxury hillside backyard project in California
5. your hourly rate
6. your weekly availability

Bonus

In your application, include the phrase:
“permit-first design wins”

This helps us know you actually read the full post.

SKILL REQUIREMENT

Architectural Services Project Management Research

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Backyard Design & Permit Research VA for Luxury Hillside Home Project – Claremont, CA

Please login or register as jobseeker to apply for this job.

TYPE OF WORK

SALARY

HOURS PER WEEK

DATE UPDATED

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