Summer Associate (Summer 2027)
San Diego, CA - USA
Job Summary
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 Atkinson 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 Atkinson experts.
Other cornerstones of the Summer Associate Program include:
- The Capstone Project: Youll align with a manager to define your professional objectives. Throughout the season youll monitor your development and achievements. Your experience will conclude by curating a presentation to reflect on your journey and share your progress with our teams and leadership.
- The Passport Experience: A curated series of experiences designed to guide your summer journey. The Passport showcases the full breadth of Atkinsons business helps you establish meaningful connections across the company and ensures you gain essential industry knowledge.
This immersive full-time program runs for 10-12 weeks and begins in mid 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
- Document Control
- Trade Partner Success
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
- Project Schedule
- Critical Thinking
Project Development: Understand how we acquire new work develop winning strategies and build strong client relationships through budgeting estimating and purchasing.
- Budgeting
- Estimating
- Purchasing
Business Operations: Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly gaining a holistic view of the Atkinson organization.
Basic Qualifications
- Currently attending university and working to complete a bachelors degree in construction management civil engineering mechanical engineering or a related field
- Interest and passion for the construction industry
What a Successful Candidate Looks Like
We look for individuals who embody these core principles:
- 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.
- Delivery & Performance: Reliably meet the expectations of your role and commitments. Understand and follow Atkinsons 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.
- Learning & Growth: Immerse yourself in Atkinsons culture your team and your community. 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 Atkinson 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. Beyond regular working hours there will be occasions where business needs require your attention particularly for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. You are expected to monitor and respond to communications (phone calls emails text messages) as required to address these situations effectively. Your ability to manage these expectations and be responsive when critical issues arise is key to your success in this role and our collective success as a team.
A Drug Free Workplace: Atkinson promotes a drug-free workplace. A pre-employment drug fitness for duty screening is required and the company conducts random quarterly drug fitness for duty tests.
Atkinson 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 $27 - $35/ hr.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Hospitals where we heal. Museums that inspire. Highways that connect us. We create the assets and infrastructure that make the United States stronger.