Associate Consultant

WSP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Retirement savings

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Bereavement/voting leave

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking recent graduates for the Advisory & Planning Associate Program in Chicago, IL (also Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA) with an August 2027 start. You will contribute to infrastructure projects across Transportation, Water, Buildings, Energy and Environment while working with industry leaders to apply evolving practices.

The role focuses on funding, organizational design, economic analysis, data analytics, financial modeling, and policy development, supporting client

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Bachelor's with 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated research skills and experience.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing needs and opportunities.
• Researching and reporting on industry trends.
• Evaluating alternatives and priorities.
• Developing the business case for infrastructure investments.
• Writing reports and grant applications.
• Supporting client meetings and workshops.
• Analyzing project funding and financing options.
• Reviewing legislation and guidance.
• Performing quantitative analyses and data analytics.
• Developing financial models.
• Providing strategic support in all phases of infrastructure planning and project development.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Proactive mindset

Technical writing

Office software

Infrastructure interest

Safety awareness

Education

Master's degree (related field)

Bachelor's degree + 1–3 years experience

Tools

GIS

Power BI

Maximo

Engineering software

Programming

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently seeking candidates for Advisory & Planning's Associate Programin ourWashington, D.C., Chicago, IL, or San Francisco, CA offices with anAugust 2027 start. Through this posting, we are looking for recent graduate school graduates (December 2026 - June 2027) who are passionate about infrastructure. Be involved in projects within our Advisory & Planning team and be part of a growing organization that meets our client's objectives and solves their challenges.

WSP USA'sAdvisory & Planningprofessionals are dedicated to developing business and operational solutions in all areas of management, investment, and development throughout the entire project life cycle. We offer our clients a unique combination of infrastructure expertise and management consulting leadership to help them determine how best to develop assets and cost-effectively deliver services. TheAssociate Program'smission is to expose early career professionals to projects in all practices and services across Advisory,investing in their development as well-rounded management consultants and ultimately placing them in the technical service team best suited for them.

The Associate Consultantmust be passionate about the strategic development and management of infrastructure across sectors: Transportation, Water, Buildings, Energy and Environment. Associates work on projects for public and private sector clients across a range of topics including funding and finance, organizational design, alternative delivery, economic analysis, research and innovation, data analysis, financial modeling, policy development, asset management, and more. The position offers great opportunities for professional growth. You will work directly with industry thought leaders to identify and apply evolving requirements and innovative practices to large, highly visible projects across the United States.

NOTE: This position requires that the applicant prepare a cover letter that includes 1. a response to the question: "Why are you interested in infrastructure and how does your academic or work background make you well-suited for the role," and 2. a stated office location preference. The use of AI is prohibited in your application materials.

Your Impact

• Analyzing needs and opportunities
• Researching and reporting out on industry trends
• Evaluating alternatives and priorities
• Developing the business case for infrastructure investments
• Writing reports and grant applications
• Supporting client meetings and workshops
• Analyzing project and program funding and financing options
• Reviewing and interpreting legislation and guidance
• Performing quantitative analyses and data analytics
• Developing financial models
• Providing strategic support in all phases of infrastructure planning and project development

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree with a major in civil/environmental/electrical engineering, business, urban or transportation planning, computer/data science, environmental science, or related field OR Bachelor's degree within one of these fields plus 1-3 years of relevant experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Demonstrated research skills and experience
• Ability to think creatively, work independently, and deliver high quality work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a team environment, synthesize problems, and communicate point of view and analytical results
• Proactive and curious about exploring new fields and meeting new people
• Proficiency with technical writing, office software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools
• Interest or experience in the infrastructure industry and related sectors
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree and/or 1-2 years of relevant experience in the field of in the field of transportation, urban planning, civil engineering, policy, or economics
• Familiarity with financial aspects and challenges of energy, water, and property and buildings, mining, and other infrastructure
• Software Skills. Including but not limited to GIS, Computer Programming, Power BI, Maximo, or Engineering Software
• Strong understanding of federal and state-level infrastructure policy and funding
• Maximum experience: The applicant should NOT have more than 2 years of directly relevant experience or 4 years of not directly relevant experience.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• retirement savings
• paid sick leave
• paid vacation (or other personal time)
• paid parental leave
• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $100,000-$110,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.