Water Compliance Specialist I (EMH I)

Water Compliance Specialist I (EMH I)

Salary

$54,866.00 - $61,100.00 Annually

Location

Lancaster County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

61007094 / 190909

Agency

SCDES-Regional & Lab Ops

Opening Date

07/22/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

JB40

Position Number:

61007094 / 190909

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$54,866.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$61,100.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

If you meet the requirements of the position and would like to be considered, you must submit a state application online. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. The quality of the application presented (completeness and accuracy as well as grammar and spelling) will be considered prior to the offer of an interview. A criminal records check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the stated closing date.

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

About the Role:

Under direct supervision, the Water Quality Compliance Specialist (EMH I) performs assigned inspections, evaluations, and sampling for the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services in support of the Bureau of Water's wastewater and stormwater programs. In this role, you will build advanced knowledge of wastewater and stormwater regulations, field sampling techniques, inspection procedures, and compliance processes while contributing to the protection of South Carolina's water resources. You may also be requested to assist other regional offices to help meet statewide commitments. This position plays a vital role in helping SCDES safeguard waterways and communities through accurate monitoring, inspections, and enforcement.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collect environmental samples from monitoring stations and wastewater facility discharge points. You'll prepare sampling equipment, perform daily equipment calibrations, and ensure all tools are clean and ready for use.
• Perform or participate in compliance inspections and any required follow-up visits at wastewater, stormwater, and agricultural sites to ensure compliance with regulations, permits, SOPs, and the Bureau of Water inspection schedule frequency. Submit all required compliance documents and enforcement referrals per procedures.
• Respond to and assist with investigations involving wastewater facilities, sanitary sewer overflows, fish kills, and other stormwater or wastewater-related complaints. Identify and evaluate potential causes, coordinate corrective actions with responsible parties, and track progress to ensure timely resolution. Initiate enforcement actions when appropriate and in accordance with procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including attending staff meetings, participating in training, and supporting tasks that contribute to your team's goals and SCDES's mission.

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 SCS 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

• An associate degree in a related technical field; OR
• High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.
• Note: Certification in the environmental field qualifies as related experience.
• Degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, earth or environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, soil science, etc.

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:

• Ability to provide outstanding customer service in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and encourage positive working relationships with coworkers, industry, and government officials.

• Ability to occasionally travel in-state and out-of-state; must have a valid driver's license, a 10-year driving record that complies with State and Agency Fleet guidelines, and the ability to operate a state vehicle.

• Must be able to exercise considerable judgment in daily implementation of assigned duties and work independently in a field environment.

• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Ability to bend, climb, and stoop in order to take samples and conduct inspections.

• Able to distinguish between color variations and make visual observations of facilities, samples, plans, specifications, and reports.

• 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 wastewater methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Experience inspecting and sampling wastewater facilities.
• Knowledge of environmental health regulations.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Additional Comments

• This role will require working in all reasonable weather conditions and the ability to access non-traditional work environments on complex terrain.
• May require overnight travel, weekend, after hours, and holiday work may be required; this position is subject to 24/7 call back due to emergencies.
• Candidates much have the ability to successfully complete prescribed technical coursework and pass any test relevant to the position within the probationary period or trial period.

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

Are you a current or previous DHEC or SCDES employee?

• Yes
• No

03

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

• Yes
• No

04

Please select which description 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 at least an associate degree in a related technical field.
• I have a high school diploma or GED, and at least two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.
• None of the above.

05

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

• Yes
• No

06

Approximately 85% of the time will be spend 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

07

Please describe a time you provided great customer service.

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency SCDES-Regional & Lab Ops 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.