Geologist​/Hydrologist

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

• Using Risk-Based Corrective Action criteria and established Standard Operating Procedures, reviews and approves technical plans in accordance with established program goals, reviews technical reports and provides accurate and technically complete reviews to customers and ensures that releases are assessed in a timely manner for initiation of corrective action remediation or no further action decisions for regulated Petroleum Releases.
• Records management for all assigned regulated Petroleum releases, to include updates and maintenance of the E-Permitting database and maintenance of project files in accordance with established retention policy.
• Review and approve cost estimates and invoiced costs for hydrogeological work that qualifies for State fund monies. Related reports are checked for accuracy before payment is authorized.
• Provides technical assistance and information to coworkers, the public, public officials, industries, and consultants. Participates in the peer review process to ensure consistency in the application of program policies.
• Provides support to program management as needed.
• Performs other duties as required and assists management staff with special duties as assigned.

A bachelor's degree in geology, hydrology, hydrogeology or geological engineering.

• Good oral and written communication skills are required. Good customer service skills.
• Experience in conducting geologic or hydrologic investigations.
• Experience in groundwater protection regulations and policies.
• A good working knowledge of basic geochemistry and groundwater modeling programs.
• A good working knowledge of the groundwater resources of the state of South Carolina.
• Experience with computer tasks (data management, word processing).

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.

Geologist in Training Certification (GIT) or Professional Geologist License (PG).

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.

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• 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 of partially remote work is available after successful completion of 6 months to 1 year of employment, 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.