Phytoplankton Biologist (EHM I)

Salary: $54,866.00 - $78,540.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 192417/61165514
Agency: Department of Environmental Services
Division: Bureau of Water
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: JB40
Position Number:: 61165514 (192417)
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Pay Grade: GEN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $54,866.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $62,322.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. A resume may be upload but will not be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications.
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
Under direct supervision, serves as the Phytoplankton Biologist working within the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program and Periphyton Program teams to assist and execute the goals of both programs. As part of both programs, the biologist is responsible for conducting field work, in-field analysis, responding to constituent inquiries, and laboratory-based analyses to assess water samples and algal blooms throughout the state to achieve program objectives for other SCDES management units. The biologist will assist other Aquatic Science Division units with field, logistical, and laboratory support when needed.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the chlorophyll-a and algal toxin laboratory processing and analysis. Participate in field monitoring conducted by the Division related to HABs or phytoplankton. Respond to public or media related HAB inquiries.
• Assist with the Periphyton Program, which includes field sampling and sampling processing. Develop periphyton data analysis skills.
• Develop phytoplankton identification skills. This includes attending workshops and/or training sessions.
• Participate in special studies and other work conducted by the Aquatic Science Division as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by bureau management as needed.

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 a clear path for advancement.
• Work-Life Balance : A career that lets you enjoy South Carolina, inside and outside of your job

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field.
• An associate degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field and two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.
• A high school diploma and four (4) 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 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 have valid state driver's license.
• 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 prepare clear technical reports, documentation, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Work in all reasonable weather conditions and access non-traditional work environments.
• May require:
  • Daily travel throughout the state.
  • Occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ability to operate various types of boats and boat trailers.
• Background knowledge of or demonstrated academic/work and identification experience in phytoplankton ecology.
• Working knowledge using microscopes and basic laboratory skills.
• Experience participating in surface water field sampling and monitoring activities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.

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 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
• Retirement benefit choices*
  • State Retirement Plan (
  • State Optional Retirement Program (
• 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.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Please select which statement best describes your level of experience as it pertains to the minimum requirements for this position. Please note, degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, Earth sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, soil science, etc.

• I have a high school diploma and four (4) years of environmental health or related experience.
• I have an associate degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field and two (2) years of environmental health or related experience.
• I have a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related technical field.
• None of the above.

03

Are you a current or previous DHEC or SCDES employee?

• Yes
• No

04

A percentage of the time will be spent outdoors in the field. Work conditions may expose employee to inclement weather, temperature extremes, and the presence of wildlife. Duties may take place in open fields, streets, wooded area, rural and urban areas, and developed and underdeveloped sites. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

05

The hiring range for this position is $54,866 - $62,322. Are you willing to accept a salary within this range?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you conducted compliance inspections previously?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have field sampling experience?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you comfortable interacting with the public and regulated community in both office and field settings?

• Yes
• No

Required Question