Clem’s work experience includes a 26-year career at SCDOT, in which he worked in various capacities. Clem started as an inspector of roadway construction projects, progressing to a mid-level management role as a Resident Maintenance Engineer. During his time at SCDOT, Clem served as the director the Construction Resource Management (CRM) program, which was integral to the agency's $5.3 Billion 27 in 7 Accelerated Construction Program. Clem's SCDOT career culminated with the role of Chief Engineer for Operations, which involved the oversight of the traffic, construction, and maintenance divisions of engineering at SCDOT, as well as oversight of the seven engineering districts statewide. These responsibilities included the oversight of over 4,200 employees and a combined annual operating budget over $1 billion.

After retiring from SCDOT, Clem went to work as a consultant for various transportation consulting firms in South Carolina. During his time as a consultant, Clem served as the Construction Manager for Richland County's Transportation Penny Program. This program included over $735 million in roadway, bike/pedestrian, and greenway improvements in Richland County, South Carolina. The program also included a design-build project consisting of six intersection improvements, for which Clem served as the Project Manager. His duties also included establishing an Inspection Unit to ensure contractor compliance with plan specifications. This involved establishing inspection protocols and procedures as well as hiring and training staff to perform inspection duties.

In addition to his construction duties, Clem provided oversight of the Transportation Penny Program’s Pavement Management System and the coordination of a $40 million resurfacing program. His former SCDOT experience was utilized to establish project rankings and other programmatic policies and procedures for the County's sales tax program.

Clem's experience also includes establishing a construction inspection unit for a consulting firm to provide inspection services for local, county, and SCDOT roadway and bridge projects. This also involved establishing inspection protocols and procedures as well as hiring and training staff to perform inspection duties. Leaning on his years of construction experience, Clem has worked on numerous design-build projects and pursuits in South Carolina.