OSWW Technical Lead

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Leave and retirement benefits

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is seeking an Onsite Wastewater (OSWW) Technical Lead to guide regulatory inspections, site evaluations, and permit reviews across South Carolina. You will train staff, ensure SOP compliance, and uphold high standards for onsite wastewater implementation statewide.

The role involves leading priority inspections, supporting field offices in Columbia, Aiken, and Orangeburg, and traveling as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering or a related technical field.
• High school diploma or GED and five years of experience in environmental health programs or a related field.
• Degrees in related technical fields are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Site Evaluations & Permitting: evaluate proposed sites and issue onsite wastewater permits per state regulations.
• Second Opinion Visits: provide expert assessments and staff training.
• Permit Review: review draft construction permits for SOP compliance.
• System Inspections & Complaint Investigations: inspect systems, investigate complaints, and recommend corrective actions.
• Program Support: assist with meetings, training, and program goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Fieldwork

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering or a related technical field

High school diploma or GED and five years of experience in environmental health programs or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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

About the Role:

Are you passionate about environmental health and ready to lead technical efforts in onsite wastewater management? Join our team as an Onsite Wastewater (OSWW) Technical Lead, where you will play a key role in protecting public health and supporting safe wastewater management across South Carolina.

Working within the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services (BRLS), you’ll conduct priority inspections, site evaluations, and complaint investigations that require subject-matter expertise and timely action. You’ll also help strengthen the Onsite Wastewater program by training staff, reviewing permits for regulatory and SOP compliance, and ensuring consistent, high-quality implementation of onsite wastewater standards statewide. This role will support SCDES Regional field offices across Columbia, Aiken, and Orangeburg.

Job Responsibilities:

• Site Evaluations & Permitting: Conduct initial evaluations of proposed sites for the purpose of issuing onsite wastewater permits. Permit suitable sites according to state regulations and policies. Perform quarterly audits for each inspector in the assigned area and assist with staff training.
• Second Opinion Visits: Provide expert assessments on requested sites and train staff in this process.
• Permit Review: Review draft construction permits and approvals to operate to ensure compliance with SOPs and regulations.
• System Inspections & Complaint Investigations: Inspect installed systems for regulatory compliance. Investigate complaints, determine validity, recommend corrective actions, and take appropriate enforcement action in accordance with state laws, regulations, agency policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Program Support: Performs other duties as required to support program goals, which includes, but is not limited to, attending periodic staff meetings and training sessions.

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: Ongoing training, professional development, and room for growth.
• Work-Life Balance: A career that lets you enjoy South Carolina, inside and outside of your job.

• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering or a related technical field and one (1) year of experience in environmental health programs or a related field; OR
• A high school diploma or GED and five (5) years of experience in environmental health programs or a related field.

Degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, earth or environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, soil science, etc.

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have valid state driver's license and the ability to operate personal and state-owned vehicles.
• Able to travel throughout the state to complete job duties.
• Able to provide outstanding customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.Work effectively in a team-oriented environment and encourage positive working relationships with coworkers, industry, and government officials.
• Work independently in a field environment.
• Ability to successfully complete prescribed technical coursework and pass any test relevant to the position within the probationary period or trial period.
• Overnight travel, weekend, after hours, and holiday work may be required. Subject to 24/7 call back due to emergencies.

Additional Requirements - Field Operations:

• Able to operate a manual soil auger to a depth of six feet and able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work in all reasonable weather conditions, walk on complex terrain, and access non-traditional work environments.
• Ability to bend, climb, and stoop in order to take samples and conduct inspections.
• Able to make visual observations of facilities, samples, plans, specifications, and reports.
• Able to wear the required safety equipment as needed, including, but not limited to, hard hats, safety glasses, and safety boots.
• Able to distinguish between color variations and conduct field tests using delicate instruments and chemicals requiring steady hands.

• Maintain a SC OSWW Program Certification
• Familiarity with onsite wastewater methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Training or experience in describing or classifying soils.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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)
• Retirement benefit choices*
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*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.