Ambient Surface Water Support Specialist (EHM I)

Ambient Surface Water Support Specialist (EHM I)

Salary

$54,866.00 - $77,000.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

191371/61009512

Agency

SCDES-Water

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

JB40

Position Number:

61009512 (191371)

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$54,866.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$61,100.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

All applicants must apply online. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. A resume may be upload but will not be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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

The Ambient Surface Water Support Specialist provides technical, programmatic, and quality assurance support for the statewide Ambient Surface Water Monitoring Program. This position assists with the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of monitoring activities that generate high-quality water quality data for environmental assessment, regulatory decision-making, and the protection of South Carolinas water resources. The position supports the development and maintenance of program quality assurance documentation, coordinates with regional offices and external partners to ensure consistent implementation of monitoring protocols, leads the annual South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program (SCECAP), and assists with routine monitoring activities, special studies, data management, and other initiatives that support the mission of the Aquatic Science Division.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Ambient Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program by assisting with site selection, field reconnaissance, and quality assurance activities.
• Communicate regularly with SCDES regional staff to resolve issues, ensure compliance with established protocols, and strengthen collaboration across regions.
• Prepare routine project status updates and quality assurance reports for program management.
• Assist in maintaining and updating the Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan, Monitoring Strategy, and annual Work Plan.
• Lead the annual South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program (SCECAP) in partnership with the Aquatic Science Division and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Division.
• Develop Quality Assurance Project Plans as needed, prepare sample bottles and equipment, coordinate with regional offices, conduct field sampling, and deliver collected samples to designated laboratory facilities.
• Participate in conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities as assigned by leadership.
• Assist with special studies and routine field monitoring to support Section and Division needs.
• Perform data entry and data management tasks, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and data integrity.
• Other duties as assigned by Section and Division management.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field.

• An associate degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field and two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.

• A high school diploma and four (4) years of environmental health or related 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. If selected for an interview, a copy of the college transcript will be required via email or at the time of the interview. Please note that some departments within the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Additional requirements:

• Must have valid state drivers license.
• Able to provide outstanding customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Work effectively in a team-oriented environment and encourage positive working relationships with coworkers, industry, and government officials.
• Work independently in a field environment.
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports, documentation, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Work in all reasonable weather conditions and access non-traditional work environments.
• May require:
• Daily travel throughout the state.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience participating in surface water field sampling and monitoring activities.
• Experience with environmental data systems and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, R, ArcGIS, or similar platforms), monitoring program tracking systems, and field logistics such as operating boats and towing trailers.

Additional Comments

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.

• Yes
• No

02

Please select which statement best describes your level of experience as it pertains to the minimum requirements for this position. Please note, degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, Earth sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, soil science, etc.

• I have a high school diploma and four (4) years of environmental health or related experience.
• I have an associate degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field and two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.
• I have a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field.
• None of the above.

03

Are you a current or previous DHEC or SCDES employee?

• Yes
• No

04

A percentage of the time will be spent outdoors in the field. Work conditions may expose employee to inclement weather, temperature extremes, and the presence of wildlife. Duties may take place in open fields, streets, wooded area, rural and urban areas, and developed and underdeveloped sites. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

05

The hiring range for this position is $54,866 - $61,100. Are you willing to accept a salary within this range?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you conducted compliance inspections previously?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have field sampling experience?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you comfortable interacting with the public and regulated community in both office and field settings?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency SCDES-Water Address 2600 Bull Street

Columbia , South Carolina, 29201

Phone 803-898-2687

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.