Sustainability Intern (Summer 2025)

dbHMS is seeking a Sustainability Intern for Summer 2025 in Chicago, IL. The role involves supporting engineering systems for various projects and analyzing sustainability needs. The position requires enrollment in a relevant degree program and proficiency in Microsoft Office. While most duties are performed in an office, dbHMS offers hybrid and remote work options, alongside a supportive culture and opportunities for career development.
Sustainability Intern (Summer 2025)

Firm Overview
Do more than just build! At dbHMS, we are a collection of doers and thinkers. We combine our passion for engineering with our client’s vision to realize successful construction projects in our community and worldwide. Together with our clients, we are dedicated to leaving a legacy of stewardship and innovation through our impact on the built environment. Our staff of talented individuals and unique characters is united in their dedication to deliver high-performance, efficient, and sustainable buildings worldwide. 

Our DataBased+ Studio team is seeking a Sustainability Intern. This role will support the engineering of systems for a variety of projects, creating designs for all kinds of spaces. 

Our dynamic work environment provides the perfect opportunity to advance your career while developing and fine-tuning your skills along with offering a supportive office culture, diverse workforce, flexible work schedules, and regular social events. At dbHMS, you will find everything you need for an exciting, challenging, and rewarding career.

dbHMS is committed to a diverse workforce and to providing a safe, accessible workplace. Most duties will be performed in an office environment. dbHMS currently operates with both hybrid and remote-only work policies. The remainder of the duties will be performed in a combination of office environment and construction/field environment which will involve trips to projects sites.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and frequently is required to walk. The work typically requires the use hands to type, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand and perform work in the field. The typical week consists of five, eight-hour shifts.

Position Overview
In the DataBased+ Studio within dbHMS, Sustainability Interns ask and answer questions that lead to design decisions that improve human-centered outcomes, minimize cost, and maximize resource efficiency of buildings, campuses, neighborhoods, or regions.

Essential Job Functions
• Analyze sustainability needs and identify opportunities for implementation
• Perform calculations, drawing reviews, and analyses related to sustainable certifications
• Using industry standard software tools to analyze the resource use of building systems and accurately predict their impact on human health and environmental sustainability
• Ability to read and understand construction documents, floor plans, specifications, and details
Requirements
• Minimum Education: Enrolled in a 4-year Engineering, Architecture, or Environmental Studies program with less than one year of experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs
Additional Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity or experience with sustainable rating systems including but not limited to LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, Living Building Challenge, PHIUS, WELL, Fitwel.
• Experience using one of the following building performance analysis software:
• OneClick LCA, Athena, EC3, Tally, or other LCA software
• LightStanza, ClimateStudio, or similar daylighting software
• Open Studio/Energy Plus
• Grasshopper plug-in and associated programs
• REVIT, BIM360, or similar building information modeling software

Personal Qualities and Other Skills/Abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Motivated self-starter and fast learner
• Strong time-management skills and experience managing multiple priorities at once
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment
• Passionate about human-centered outcomes
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, maturity, credibility, confidence, and integrity