Summary

20251230111115_20250804170856_DES_Logo__Primary_Horizontal_Color.png

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 would love to have you support our mission.

Science | Service | Sustainability
Make a Difference in South Carolina’s Coastal Environment!

About the Role
Join a team dedicated to protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and the people who call it home. As a Law Enforcement Officer II in our Shellfish Monitoring Program, you’ll combine science, environmental health, and law enforcement to ensure the safe harvesting, processing, and distribution of seafood across our state. This role enforces state and federal shellfish sanitation laws and regulations through water quality monitoring, sampling, sanitary surveys, pollution abatement, inspections, and patrols. This is a unique opportunity to serve the citizens of South Carolina while working outdoors, on the water, and directly with the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

Enforce shellfish and environmental regulations through inspections, patrols, and field operations.
Patrol coastal areas by boat and vehicle, navigating coastal waterways in all weather conditions.
Collect samples and analyze water quality data for shellfish classification.
Inspect seafood processing facilities and evaluate sanitation practices.
Assist with stream sampling, equipment maintenance, and reporting.
Complete accurate investigative and administrative documentation.
Participate in team training and remain up to date on required certifications/licensures.
Respond to environmental emergencies on a 24/7 call-back basis as needed.
Serves as a Certified (Class 1) Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with the SC Code of Laws and is empowered with full arrest and policy authority.

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 and coastal ecosystems
Great Benefits, Including:
- 13 paid holidays
- 30 days paid leave per year
- Comprehensive insurance options for you and your family
- Retirement benefits choices
Career Growth: Ongoing training, professional development, and a clear path for advancement.
Work-Life Balance: Choose a career that lets you enjoy the beauty of South Carolina, in and outside of your job.

If you’re passionate about public service, protecting South Carolina's environment, enjoy hands-on fieldwork, and are ready to serve your community as part of a mission-driven team, we encourage you to submit an application!

Examples of duties

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in natural/physical sciences or a related field; OR
Associate degree in a relevant field with 2 years of environmental health experience; OR
- Related bachelor’s or associate degrees include but are not limited to Marine Science, Biology, Fisheries/Wildlife, Environmental or Public Health, Public Health, Natural Resources, Criminal Justice, Geography/GIS, etc.
High school diploma with 4 years of relevant enforcement and/or environmental health experience
- Relevant experience includes but is not limited to environmental fieldwork, regulatory inspections, natural resource management, maritime operations, law enforcement, or other public safety roles.

Certifications:
Must have and maintain certification as a Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer by the SC Criminal Justice Academy OR be eligible and able to obtain certification within one year of hire.

(Certification by the Law Enforcement Training Council in accordance with Section 23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976)

Additional Requirements:

Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
Strong swimming skills and boating ability
No criminal record and must pass all background investigations
Ability to distinguish color variations (required for water sample testing)
Physical ability to lift 50 lbs., climb, stoop, and work in varied field conditions
Comfortable working in extreme weather, weekends, holidays, and overnight travel
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with the public and regulated community

Qualifications

Certification as a Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Knowledge of or familiarity with public/environmental health laws, sanitation practices, and/or environmental regulations/compliance
Experience conducting inspections, patrols, or field operations
Experience or familiarity with collecting and analyzing samples, quality testing, and/or reporting
Skilled in operating and navigating boats in coastal waterways, including in challenging weather conditions

Supplemental information

SCDES Law Enforcement Salary Breakdown

TitleRequirementsSalaryOfficer INon-certified | Trainee; must meet minimum education requirements listed$53,300Officer ICertified (upon certification) less than 24 months experience$56,498Officer IICertified, 2 years' experience in LEO classification$59,887
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 )
State Retirement Plan (PORS) - Defined benefit retirement plan for eligible public safety employees, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and peace officers.
- Transfer and purchase past military and public service time to retire early!
- Disability Retirement Protection
- PORS Handbook available here

Application Process:
After you submit your application, it will be reviewed first. Following assessment, applicants who qualify will then be sent an online employment evaluation tool.

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.

Law Enforcement Officer II (Shellfish Monitoring Program)

Key skills

About this role

Summary

Examples of duties

Qualifications

Supplemental information