Law Enforcement Officer II; Shellfish Monitoring Program

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

Join a team dedicated to protecting public health and South Carolina’s natural resources. 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 is a unique opportunity to serve the citizens of South Carolina while working outdoors, on the water, and in the field.

You will enforce state and federal shellfish sanitation laws and regulations through water quality monitoring, sanitary surveys, pollution abatement, inspections, and patrols. Support ambient water quality monitoring and maintain essential sampling and enforcement equipment.

• Enforce shellfish and environmental regulations through inspections, patrols, and field operations.
• Collect and analyze estuarine water quality data for shellfish classification.
• Inspect seafood processing facilities and evaluate sanitation practices.
• Operate boats and navigate coastal waterways in all weather conditions.
• Assist with stream sampling, equipment maintenance, and reporting.
• Complete accurate administrative documentation and participate in team training.
• Respond to environmental emergencies on a 24/7 call‑back basis as needed.
• Serve 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.

Must be certified 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.

• Valid South Carolina driver’s license or valid driver’s license from your current state.
• Driving record should be clean.
• Strong swimming skills and boating ability.
• No criminal record.
• 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.

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.

• Officer I – Non‑certified trainee (must meet minimum education requirements) – $53,300
• Officer I – Certified (upon certification) less than 24 months experience – $56,498
• Officer II – Certified, 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…