Job Responsibilities

Careers at SCDES: Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment?

Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us!

We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!

Science | Service | Sustainability

About The Role

Under direct supervision, the Junior Soil Evaluator performs assigned inspections, evaluations, and complaint investigations for the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services' Onsite Wastewater (OSWW) program. In this role, you will work closely with senior staff to assess site suitability, evaluate installed systems, and help ensure compliance with state laws and regulations. This position offers the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge of OSWW policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements while contributing to the protection of public health and the environment.

Job Responsibilities

Conduct or participate in initial evaluations of proposed sites for the purpose of issuing onsite wastewater permits.
Support permitting activities for suitable sites by applying state regulations and policies. Request senior reviews as required.
Participate in inspections of installed onsite wastewater systems to ensure compliance with state regulations.
Help investigate complaints by assessing validity, recommending corrective actions, and taking appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with state laws, regulations, agency policies, and standard operating procedures.
Perform other duties as required, such as attending periodic staff meetings and training.

Why Join Us?

As a State Employee, You’ll Enjoy

Job Stability & Purposeful Work: Make an impact on your community as you contribute to protecting SC'S environment
Great Benefits: Including paid holidays, 30 total days of leave per year, insurance options for you and your family and retirement benefit choices.
Career Growth: Ongoing training, professional development, and a clear path for advancement.
Work-Life Balance: A career that lets you enjoy South Carolina, inside and outside of your job.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

A high school diploma or GED and experience in environmental health programs or radiological health OR
A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering or a related technical field may be substituted for the required work experience.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application are encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Additional Requirements

Must have valid driver's license, ability to operate personal and state-owned vehicles, and ability to travel throughout the state to complete job duties.
Strong customer service skills and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, organization, and teamwork skills; able to build positive relationships with colleagues, industry partners, and government officials.
Ability to work independently in a field environment, successfully complete required technical coursework, and pass any test relevant to the position within the probationary period or trial period.
Willing and able to work in all reasonable weather conditions, access non-traditional work environments, and walk on complex terrain.
Able to operate a manual soil auger to six feet and perform physical tasks including lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, climbing, and stooping during sampling and inspections.
Able to make visual observations of facilities, samples, plans, specifications, and reports, including distinguishing color variations.
Able to wear the required safety equipment as needed, including, but not limited to, hard hats, safety glasses, and safety boots.
Able to conduct field tests using delicate instruments and chemicals requiring steady hands.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with onsite wastewater methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Training or experience in describing or classifying soils.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Additional Comments

Overnight travel, weekend, after hours, and holiday work may be required.
Position is subject to 24/7 callback due to emergencies.

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
15 days sick leave per year
13 paid holidays
Paid parental leave
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
Retirement benefit choices *
- State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
- State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
Remote Work: The option to work remotely 2 days per week is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with SCDES, based on job functions.

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

02

Are you a current or former employee of SCDHEC or SCDES?

03

Will you now or in the future require SCDES sponsorship for employment visa status?

04

Please select the option that best describes your education and/or experience as it relates to the minimum requirements for this role.

A high school diploma or GED and experience in environmental health programs or radiological health
I have at least a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering or a related technical field, which may be substituted for the required work experience.
None of the above.

05

This role requires spending roughly 90% of your time outdoors, where you may encounter inclement weather, temperature extremes, wildlife, and varied terrain. Duties may occur in open fields, wooded areas, rural and urban environments, and on developed and undeveloped sites. The role also requires interacting with the public and regulated community in both field and office settings. Are you able to meet these requirements?

06

The hiring range for this position is $50,939 - $61,100. Are you willing to accept a salary on the lower end of this range?

07

Please describe any training or experience you have in describing or classifying soils.

08

Do you have experience using tape measures, range finders, laser levels, and/or clinometers?

09

Have you conducted compliance inspections previously? If so, please describe.

10

Have you drawn site plans or recorded observations while performing fieldwork?

11

Do you have experience writing, interpreting, or developing regulations or policies?

12

If you do have experience with writing, interpreting or developing regulations or policies please tell us about your experience.

Required Question

State of South Carolina

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