Environmental Scientist (EHM II)

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: Working under limited supervision, the Environmental Scientist will evaluate potential Federal and State Superfund sites through site visits, site-specific research, sampling activities, and data interpretation. Submit information to EPA in the form of a technical report referred to as PCS, PA, SI, ESI or HRS documentation package. Maintain ePermitting and other information tracking systems. Assist with sampling and fieldwork on State and Federal Superfund Sites and other state/federal sites as needed. Assist with coordinating sampling events and processing monitoring well permits. Perform duties of a Field Team Member for Nuclear Response Program activities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform Federal and State pre-remedial activities, including research and writing of Pre-CERCLA Screening reports, Preliminary Assessments, Site Inspections and reports for state activities. Conduct field work necessary to evaluate assigned sites. Maintain ePermitting and other information tracking systems.
• Assist the sample coordinator for assessment activities of environmental investigations supporting the Federal and State Site Assessment Section, and other projects in the Bureau of Land and Waste Management as needed. Help maintain sampling and screening equipment for data collection of environmental media. Become familiar with and perform necessary updates to standard operating procedures related to environmental data collection and equipment maintenance and calibration.
• Help process the monitoring well applications received by the section in ePermitting and provide all necessary documentation to the applicants. Review data associated with monitoring well applications and determine appropriate responses from the Department.
• Cross train, drill in, and respond with the Nuclear Response Program as required to perform as a Field Team Member (FTM) under direction of the SCDES Mobile Operations Center (MOC).
• Other duties as required to support the Federal and State Site Assessment Section, the Site Assessment, Remediation and Revitalization Division, the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, and the rest of the Agency.

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 room for growth.

• Work-Life Balance: A career that lets you enjoy South Carolina, inside and outside of your job.

• A bachelor’s degree in natural or physical sciences, or a related technical field may substitute for required work experience.

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

• A high school diploma and four years of environmental 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:

• Working knowledge of personal computers and peripheral office equipment.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to operate motor vehicles.
• Excellent communication skills, including clear and concise telephone communication.
• Ability to provide technical assistance and communicate with the public, public officials, and industry representatives on environmental quality matters.
• Have a basic understanding of environmental contaminant transport.
• Ability to lift seventy pounds, bend, climb, and stoop and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to concurrently manage numerous assessment and prioritization projects
• Emergency travel, weekend work, and after-hours availability may be required.

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)

*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.