Law Enforcement Officer II (Shellfish Monitoring Program)
State of South Carolina
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
State of South Carolina is seeking a Law Enforcement Officer II to oversee shellfish monitoring and enforce environmental health standards. The role combines science, enforcement, and fieldwork to safeguard seafood from harvest to distribution across the state.
You will patrol coastal areas, collect water samples, inspect facilities, and maintain essential certifications while serving the public in varied outdoor environments.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in natural/physical sciences or related field or equivalent experience.
- 2 years environmental health or related enforcement experience with an associate degree.
- High school diploma with 4 years of relevant enforcement or environmental health experience.
Responsibilities
- Enforce shellfish and environmental regulations through inspections, patrols, and field operations.
- Patrol coastal areas by boat and vehicle in all weather conditions.
- Collect samples and analyze water quality data for shellfish classification.
- Inspect seafood processing facilities and assess sanitation practices.
- Assist with stream sampling, equipment maintenance, and reporting.
- Complete accurate investigative and administrative documentation.
- Participate in team training and maintain required certifications.
- Respond to environmental emergencies on a 24/7 call-back basis.
- Serve as a Certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer with arrest and policy authority.
Skills
Education
Job description
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.
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.
- 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
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)
- 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
- 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
- Officer I – Non-certified | Trainee; must meet minimum education requirements listed: $54,366.00
- Officer I – Certified (upon certification) less than 24 months experience: $57,627.00
- Officer II – Certified, 2 years' experience in LEO classification: $61,200.00
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.
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.
- 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
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