Construction Specialist ; New Grads

Job Title

Construction Specialist 1 (2026 New Grads!)

Illinois - Chicago

CDM Smith is seeking an excited candidate to join our team in Chicago, IL. This dynamic role provides technical, field, and site administration responsibilities across the project lifecycle.

• Assist in reviewing documents, preparing deliverables, and participating in pre-bid site visits.
• Assist in determining total project costs by evaluating complex proposals and researching labor, material, and equipment costs.
• Develop a preliminary schedule for engineering and construction.
• Develop General Conditions based on requirements specified in the bidding documents.
• Work with the project team, subcontractors, client, owners, and all other interested parties to ensure timely and safe project completion.
• Ensure timely arrival and installation of materials and equipment with field personnel and vendors.
• Prepare and review submittals of increasing complexity, issue construction documents and layouts to field crews, answer questions, and complete requests for information (RFI).
• Supervise and direct overall project activities of basic to moderate complexity and interpret specifications and drawings for foremen and superintendents.
• Conduct inspections to maintain quality control reporting for project sites.
• Work with Health and Safety professionals to evaluate the safety performance metrics of potential subcontractors and vendors as part of the procurement process.
• Work with the Project Manager to complete all contract-required deliverables and follow company close-out procedures during project close-out.
• Close subcontractor and purchase orders, develop final record drawings and as-builts, and ensure all close-out submittals are documented and approved.
• Work with the Team to complete final inspections, punch list, and ensure client satisfaction.
• Assist in developing project capability needs and a VDC plan with the project manager and VDC team.
• Facilitate solutions through collaboration with the design and project teams via VDC, BIM, and traditional collaboration methods.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline. 0 years of experience. Domestic and/or international travel may be required. Equivalent directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Basic computation skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with technology typically associated with engineering and construction projects.
• Proficient knowledge of construction terminology.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents and drawings.
• Intermediate level personal computer skills.

20% travel required.

$66,248 - $109,283

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.