- Salary: $56,764.00 – $70,300.00 Annually
- Location: Richland County, SC
- Job Type: FTE – Full-Time
- Job Number: 184598/61009374
- Agency: SCDES-Water
- Opening Date: 01/28/2026
- Closing Date: 2/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
- Class Code: JB50
- Position Number: 61009374 (184598)
- Normal Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:30 – 5:00)
- Pay Grade: GEN09
- Hiring Range – Min.: $56,764.00
- Hiring Range – Max.: $70,300.00
- Opening Date: 01/28/2026
- EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
- Agency Specific Application Procedures: If you meet the requirements of the position and would like to be considered, you must submit a state application online. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume and cover letter may be reviewed but not used to to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. The quality of the application presented (i.e. completeness, accuracy, grammar, spelling) will be considered prior to the offer of an interview. Supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation of information will disqualify you from consideration for the position. A criminal records check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the stated closing date.
- Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
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
About the 303d, Modeling, and TMDL Section:
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) works to protect and restore the quality of surface waters in accordance with the Clean Water Act (CWA). Our 303d, Modeling, and TMDL Section uses water quality data, models, and other tools to help protect and restore surface waters throughout the state.
This program is responsible for or supports critical environmental efforts, including:
- Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
- Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for point sources
- Load Allocations (LAs) for non-point sources
- Effluent limits for NPDES permits
- Water quality certifications under Section 401 of the CWA
- Development of the 303(d) List of Impaired Waters
Joining our team means contributing to science-based decisions that protect South Carolina’s water resources for generations to come.About the Water Quality Modeler (EHM II) Role:
Under general supervision, the Water Quality Modeler determines the impact of treated wastewater discharges from a wide variety of industrial, domestic and agricultural activities on State waters using simple to very complex computer modeling techniques and scientific principles and methods. Accurately determine the total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for point and non-point sources of pollution and recommend permit limits based on waste load allocations (WLAs) for specified parameters to be included in NPDES permits.
Responsibilities:
- Work as a project manager to determine pollution assimilative capacity for specific waterbodies using appropriate mathematical water quality models. Accurately and independently develop, calibrate and apply complex computerized mathematical models in determining WLAs and TMDLs. Using appropriate models, correctly determine recommended load allocations for non-point sources and wasteload allocations for NPDES permitted sources. Ensure proper determination of treatment levels to maintain water quality standards. Explain, document and defend results for TMDL, WLA and NPDES discharge permitting purposes as appropriate.
- Obtain and independently review available physical, biological, hydrologic, chemical and geospatial data to determine data inputs for water quality models and analyses using ArcGIS and other sources. Participate in design and completion of field studies and conduct site visits as required.
- Support development of the 303(d) List of Impaired Waters and support TMDL and other field monitoring activities supported by the 303(d), Modeling and TMDL Section.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- 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:
- Knowledge of water quality data analysis, knowledge of environmental models, such as water quality models.
- Knowledge of environmental management practices, environmental science, hydrology, ecology, water chemistry, limnology, and advanced mathematics and statistics.
- Strong organizational, quantitative, technical writing, and communication skills are required.
- Skill with MS Excel for data manipulation and analysis.
- Ability to operate State owned vehicles.
- Ability to make presentations in a group setting.
- Ability to make visual observations of facilities, samples, plans, specifications, reports, waterbodies, etc.
- Experience understanding and analyzing environmental data.
- Ability to apply established methodology and scientific principles and incorporate relevant data to develop defensible water quality models and recommendations for discharge permit limits and TMDLs.
- Must have a valid SC Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge or experience with spatial data analysis using ArcGIS.
- Knowledge or experience with water quality field work.
- Knowledge or experience with NPDES permitting.
Additional Comments
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 *
- 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.
Employer: State of South Carolina
Agency: SCDES-WaterAddress2600 Bull Street, Columbia , South Carolina, 29201
Phone: 803-898-2687
