Summer Associate

Job Description

About the Job

At Clark, we are dedicated to building leaders—individuals who confidently take ownership, rise to significant challenges, and consistently deliver the Clark standard of excellence. Across the industry, Clark is renowned for exceptional performance and for shaping communities through some of the most complex and high-profile projects being built today.

We empower our team members to take on significant responsibility early in their careers, supporting their growth with extensive resources, dedicated mentorship, comprehensive training, and a culture that continually challenges them to advance their careers further. Here, the standard is unequivocally higher. Our team doesn’t just build great projects—we build the visionary leaders who make those projects possible.

The Summer Associate Program

The Summer Associate Program offers a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of both the dynamic construction industry and Clark’s core business operations. As a Summer Associate, you will be:

• Fully Embedded: You will work directly with a team on an active jobsite or within a corporate department.
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical experience across critical areas including project management, field management, project development, and business operations.
• Integrated Community Member: Beyond your project work, you will become an integrated member of the Clark community through various training and development opportunities.
• Network Building: Expand your professional network through engaging social events and insightful jobsite tours.
• Skill Sharpening: Enhance your capabilities with formal training sessions expertly led by Clark specialists.

Cornerstones of the Summer Associate Program:

• The Capstone Project: This team-based project challenges you to develop innovative solutions for real-time business opportunities. You will present your findings directly to company leadership, gaining significant visibility and the chance to make a tangible impact on our business.
• The Passport Experience: A carefully curated series of experiences designed to guide and enrich your summer journey. The Passport showcases the full breadth of Clark’s business, helps you establish meaningful connections across the company, and ensures you gain essential industry knowledge.

This immersive, full-time program typically runs for 8-10 weeks, commencing in late May or early June.

Responsibilities & Learning Areas

Throughout your summer, you will gain exposure to and practical experience in the following key areas:

Project Management

Working in project management provides a deep understanding of the day-to-day and long-term business and financial management associated with complex construction projects.

• Financial Management: Review gross billings, track change orders, and manage subcontractor requisitions.
• Document Control: Oversee the submittals, Request for Information (RFI), and material tracking processes.
• Trade Partner Success: Serve as a trusted advisor to our subcontractors, planning for successful field installations.

Field Management

Learn the intricate details of the building process, assist in site logistics, and ensure the highest standards of quality and safety on our jobsites.

• Quality Control and Safety: Monitor trade workers with a strong emphasis on the quality of their work and adherence to safety protocols.
• Project Schedule: Assist with critical schedule management and overall site logistics.
• Critical Thinking: Resolve unforeseen challenges related to installation, scheduling, and trade partner coordination swiftly and effectively.

Project Development

Understand the strategies behind acquiring new work, developing winning proposals, and building strong client relationships through effective budgeting, estimating, and purchasing processes.

• Budgeting: Review initial contract documents, solicit bids, and provide preliminary evaluations of subcontractor proposals.
• Estimating: Perform quantity takeoffs, prepare comprehensive bid proposals, and quantify labor and material prices required for projects.
• Purchasing: Collaborate to execute subcontractor agreements, thoroughly review the scope of work, and manage relationships within the subcontractor community.

Business Operations

Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly, gaining a holistic view of the entire Clark organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or equivalent, or a graduate degree.
• Demonstrated interest and passion for the construction industry.

What a Successful Candidate Looks Like

We actively seek individuals who embody these core principles:

• Enthusiasm & Drive: Be punctual, dedicated, and committed to seeing work through to completion. Arrive early for meetings and events. Be a proactive team player – always asking how you can help and maintaining a strong presence. Take initiative, represent the company professionally through your dress and demeanor, and build unwavering 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 honor all commitments. Understand and consistently follow Clark’s established standard procedures. Be eager to take on new responsibilities, delve into details, and proactively bring solutions to problems. Take ownership, demonstrate clear accountability, and exhibit responsiveness with a strong sense of urgency.
• Learning & Growth: Fully immerse yourself in Clark’s culture, your team, and your broader community. Fulfill all Clark Corporate University learning requirements. Be engaged, accountable, and self-directed in your learning journey – maintain a curious and inquisitive mindset! Continuously build your technical expertise and expand your business acumen.

Work Environment and Requirements

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. You’ll 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:

You’ll 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 you’ll be expected to follow Clark Construction’s 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:

Clark 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.