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Summer Associate (Summer 2027)


Job Location:

Chicago, IL - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 21 - 27
Posted: 3 September 2026 (8 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

At Clark we build leadersindividuals who take ownership rise to challenges and deliver the Clark standard of excellence. Across the industry Clark is known for exceptional performance and shaping communities through some of the most complex high-profile projects being built today.

We empower you to take on significant responsibility early backing your growth with extensive resources mentorship formal training and a culture that challenges you to advance your career further. Here the standard is higher. Our team doesnt just build landmark projectswe build the leaders who make them possible.

The Role

The Summer Associate Program is your opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry and our business.

As a summer associate you will be fully embedded with a team on a jobsite or in a department gaining hands-on experience across project management field management project development and business operations.

Beyond your project work you will become an integrated member of the Clark community through training and development opportunities. Build your network through social events and jobsite tours and sharpen your skills with formal training sessions led by Clark experts.

Other cornerstones of the Summer Associate Program include:

  • The Capstone Project: A team-based project that challenges you to develop innovative solutions for real-time business opportunities. You will present your findings directly to company leadership gaining visibility and the chance to make a tangible impact.

  • The Passport Experience: A curated series of experiences designed to guide your summer journey. The Passport showcases the full breadth of Clarks business helps you establish meaningful connections across the company and ensures you gain essential industry knowledge.

This immersive full-time program runs for 8 -10 weeks and begins in late May or early June.

Responsibilities

Throughout the summer you will be exposed to:

  • Project Management: Working in project management gives you an understanding of the day-to-day and long-term business and financial management associated with construction projects.

    • Financial Management - Review gross billings track change orders and subcontractor requisitions

    • Document Control - Manage the submittals RFI and material tracking process

    • Trade Partner Success - Become a trusted advisor to our subcontractors to plan for a successful field installation

  • Field Management: Learn the intricacies of the building process assist in site logistics and ensure quality and safety on our jobsites.

    • Quality Control and Safety - Monitor tradeworkers with emphasis on the quality of work and safety

    • Project Schedule - Assist with schedule management and site logistics

    • Critical Thinking - Resolve unforeseen challenges within installation schedule and trade partner coordination

  • Project Development: Understand how we acquire new work develop winning strategies and build strong client relationships through budgeting estimating and purchasing

    • Budgeting - Review initial contract documents solicit and provide preliminary evaluations of subcontractor bids

    • Estimating - Perform quantity takeoffs prepare the overall bid proposal and quantify labor and material prices required for projects

    • Purchasing - Collaborate to execute subcontractor agreements review the scope of work and manage relationships with subcontractors

  • Business Operations: Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly gaining a holistic view of the Clark organization.

Basic Qualifications

  • Pursuing an undergraduate degree or equivalent or a graduate degree

  • Interest and passion for the construction industry

What a Successful Candidate Looks Like

We look for individuals who embody these core principles:

1. Enthusiasm & Drive: Be punctual and dedicated staying until work is done. Arrive early for meetings and events. Be a proactive team player ask how you can help and be present. Take initiative represent the company professionally (dress demeanor) and build trust with your team clients and stakeholders. Proactively seek ways to contribute to team success and always maintain a positive attitude.

2. Delivery & Performance: Reliably meet the expectations of your role and commitments. Understand and follow Clarks standard procedures. Take on new responsibilities dig into the details and bring solutions to problems. Take ownership be accountable and demonstrate responsiveness with a sense of urgency.

3. Learning & Growth: Immerse yourself in Clarks culture your team and your community. Fulfill Clark Corporate University learning requirements. Be engaged accountable and self-directed in your learning be curious! Continuously build your technical expertise and grow your business acumen.

The work environment and requirements described below are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.

The Physical Side of the Role: This is an active hands-on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently navigating active job sites with uneven terrain stairs ladders and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion including bending kneeling and reaching. Youll need to be comfortable frequently lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively as well as visual acuity for reading plans and inspecting work. The role does include desk time in the office that may require prolonged periods of sitting for tasks like computer work document review and meetings.

Your Work Environment: Youll spend a significant amount of your time on active construction sites which means being adaptable to all kinds of weather and moderate to loud noise levels and comfortable in elevated or confined work areas with moving mechanical equipment and with the fast-paced nature of a project in progress. You will also spend time in a typical office setting with moderate noise levels. Your safety is our top priority and youll be expected to follow Clark Constructions safety policies and procedures and all applicable laws at all locations.

Our High-Performing Culture: This is a demanding high-performance environment. We are looking for candidates who are energized by challenge thrive under pressure and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve exceptional results. Success in this role requires significant commitment including flexibility to work extended hours especially during critical project phases or client deadlines.

A Drug Free Workplace: Clark promotes a drug free workplace. A pre-employment fitness for duty screening is required and random fitness for duty tests of employees are conducted quarterly.

Clark offers a total compensation package. Benefits could include commuter benefits or fitness reimbursement. Hourly rates will be determined by factors such as geographic location education experience and market considerations. For this role the hourly rate is $21 - $27/ hr.


Required Experience:

IC


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