401 Certification and Permitting Specialist II (EHM II

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 Under general supervision, the 401 Certification and Permitting Specialist II will effectively and efficiently evaluate environmental impacts of proposed activities on the waters of the State and determine whether proposed activities will violate State water quality standards.

Determine certification or permitting action, as appropriate, consistent with such standards, plans, laws, and regulations or other appropriate State, Federal, or Agency guidelines and policies.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare staff assessments for 401 certification and navigable water permits. Incorporate comments regarding consistency with the Coastal Zone Management Program and Construction in Navigable Waters Permits.
• Conduct site inspections and evaluations. Attend and participate in meetings, hearings, and court proceedings as requested.
• Enter and maintain current and accurate information in the Department's data handling system.
• Perform other duties related to environmental management programs as determined by the manager.
• Evaluate nationally recommended surface water quality criteria and other regionally promulgated water quality standards.
• Assist with the quality assurance and quality control necessary to maintain the surface water classifications GIS layer.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, maintain the stakeholder contact list, and assist with the distribution of notifications to stakeholders.
• Attend regional or national water quality standards meetings. Perform other duties as assigned.

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 :
  Grow professionally with ongoing training, skill-building opportunities, and room for advancement.
• Work-Life Balance : A career that lets you enjoy South Carolina, inside and outside of your job.

• A master's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field
• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related scientific field and one (1) year of environmental health or related experience.
• OR an associate degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field and at least three (3) years of environmental health or related experience
• OR a high school diploma or GED and at least five (5) years of environmental health or related 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 may 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 analyze technical environmental issues and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to interpret regulations and laws in addition to technical reports, be able to make recommendations, and prepare reports.
• Ability to work with the public and government officials at all levels.
• Must be able to drive and attend field visits including walking in wetlands and wooded areas.
• May require work outside of normal working hours to attend meetings or site visits.
• Must possess a valid SC driver's license.
• Must be able to effectively prioritize and work with cooperating agencies and across program area.

• Knowledge of the Clean Water Act.
• Knowledge of 401 Water Quality Certification and Water Quality Standards.
• Willing and able to work outdoors in year-round weather conditions.

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.  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…