Stormwater Permitting Engineering Associate I

State-of-South-Carolina; South Carolina; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work 2 days per week after 1st

Excellent benefits package

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) seeks an Stormwater Permitting Engineering Associate I to review engineering plans and permits under the NPDES Stormwater Program, ensuring compliance and protection of water quality in South Carolina.

You will work under supervision, draft NPDES general permits for stormwater discharges, and support MS4 compliance while collaborating with engineers and environmental staff to protect communities and natural resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• Must qualify to become registered as a Level A Professional Engineer in South Carolina; may use substantially equivalent education pathway with LLR approval.
• Must have basic knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and sedimentology.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, calculations, and engineering reports for NPDES Stormwater Program construction and general permits.
• Evaluate projects for regulatory compliance and prepare approvals for regulated activities.
• Collaborate with consulting engineers to resolve plan deficiencies and provide technical assistance.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Sedimentology

Engineering plan review

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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:

The Stormwater Permitting Engineering Associate I serves as a staff engineering associate for plan review for the Stormwater Permitting Section of SCDES' Bureau of Water. Under direct supervision, you will support the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program, the state stormwater management program, and the sediment reduction program. In this role, you will help protect water quality, reduce flooding risks, and support environmental health by reviewing engineering plans and issuing stormwater permits. This position conducts the drafting of South Carolina’s NPDES General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (SCR100000) and the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (SCR000000), and reviews applications for coverage under these permits. You will work closely with senior program staff on daily tasks and develop expertise in stormwater permitting and compliance.

Responsibilities:

Plan Review and Permit Evaluation

• Review drawings, calculations, and engineering reports for projects submitted for permitting under the NPDES Stormwater Program Construction Activities (SCR100000) and the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (SCR000000).
• Evaluate projects for compliance with applicable regulations and prepare approvals for regulated activities.
• Collaborate with consulting engineers to resolve plan deficiencies and provide technical assistance for proposed and ongoing projects.

Permit Issuance and MS4 Support

• Issue coverage under the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit to applicable municipalities.
• Issue coverage under the NPDES Construction General Permit to sites located within MS4 areas.
• Assist Bureau of Water Compliance staff during MS4 Audits.

Technical Assistance and Public Support

• Provide stormwater-related technical assistance to regional Environmental Affairs staff and Bureau of Water Compliance and Enforcement teams.
• Provide information to the public and regulated community as requested.

Emergency Response and Cross-Program Assistance

• Support other Agency permit programs as needed, including periodic review of permit applications outside of your assigned section.
• Assist with the Bureau of Water’s response to environmental emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, and dam failures as coordinated by your supervisor.

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

A bachelor’s degree in engineering.

The education must qualify the applicant to become registered as a Level A Professional Engineer in South Carolina and must meet one of the education requirements outlined on the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations website found at: https://llr.sc.gov/eng/PDF_Files/LicensureQualificationInformationSheet.pdf. If the applicant is utilizing the 'substantially equivalent education' pathway, the approval letter from LLR must be final at time of application.

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess basic knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and sedimentology.
• Must have experience evaluating and reviewing engineering site reports, specifications, and drawings.
• Must be able to work effectively with local government agencies, professional engineering consultants, owners, agents, the general public, and other internal and external customers.
• Must be a certified construction site inspector and certified plan reviewer or be able to obtain both certifications within one (1) year of employment.
• Must have a valid drivers' license.
• Must be proficient with personal computers, particularly word-processing software.
• Must be able to climb steep slopes, traverse uneven terrain, and participate in site visits in both fair and inclement weather.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

• Prior experience with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting.
• CEPSI Certification through Clemson University.
• CSPR Certification through Clemson University.

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.

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
• Remote Work: The option to work remotely 2 days per week is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with SCDES, based on job functions.

*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.