Water Quantity Permitting Specialist

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation & sick leave

Retirement plan

Remote work after 1 year

Parental leave

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is seeking a Water Quantity Permitting Specialist to support statewide groundwater permitting. You will review applications, evaluate reports, and help develop and track water-use data and permits across the state.

Ideal candidates have a geology/hydrogeology background, experience with groundwater regulations, and strong data management skills.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting geologic or hydrologic investigations.
• Experience with groundwater protection regulations and policies.
• Experience with data management and word processing.
• Experience in customer service.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementing the Groundwater Permitting for the State. Assist with permitting of groundwater withdrawals and review applications for Groundwater Permits and Registrations.
• Support Groundwater Withdrawal Permitting by managing and interpreting data via ArcGIS, Excel, and Access; assist with database management.
• Perform on-site visits to permitted facilities to conduct records checks of water use information and observe well drilling.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Geologic investigations

Hydrogeology

Data management

Customer service

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, or geological engineering

Tools

ArcGIS

Excel

Access

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

Under direct supervision, the Water Quantity Permitting Specialist supports statewide implementation of the Groundwater Permitting Program. The role assists with permitting and registering groundwater withdrawers within South Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It also performs introductory hydrogeologic tasks, including reviewing applications, evaluating reports, and contributing to the development, implementation, and tracking of water-use data and water-quantity permits across the state.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with implementing the Groundwater Permitting for the State. Assists with permitting of groundwater withdrawals. Performs introductory professional hydrogeologic duties by reviewing applications for Groundwater Permits and Registrations and reviewing reports to help develop, implement, and track the water withdrawal and well construction data in South Carolina.
• Support Groundwater Withdrawal Permitting by managing and interpreting data via ArcGIS, Excel, and Access; learn to assist with database management.
• Perform on-site visits to permitted facilities to conduct records checks of water use information and observe well drilling. Provide introductory-level technical assistance to internal and external customers relating to the Groundwater Withdrawal Permitting Program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why Join Us?

As a South Carolina 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 bachelor’s degree in geology, hydrogeology, or geological engineering.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience conducting geologic or hydrologic investigations.
• Experience with groundwater protection regulations and policies.
• Experience with computer tasks such as data management and word processing.
• Experience in customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

Additional Requirements

• A valid driver’s license and 10-year driving record meeting State and Agency Fleet guidelines.
• Ability to drive a state vehicle.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Transcript Guidance:

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.

• Knowledge of groundwater resources specific to South Carolina.
• Proficient in Excel and capable of using database software effectively.

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)
• Remote Work:The option of partially remote work is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with the agency, based on position 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.