Commercial Hazardous Waste Facility Inspector (EHM II)

Full Job Description

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!


Under limited supervision, the Commercial Hazardous Waste Facility Inspector will plan, coordinate, and perform advanced technical duties in hazardous waste field activities to detect, evaluate, abate, and control environmental quality. Coordinate inspections of commercial hazardous waste management permitted facilities to ensure consistency in compliance and enforcement of State hazardous waste laws and regulations. Provide technical assistance to the regulated community and Department staff. Conduct training for hazardous waste inspectors in the field and classroom settings.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of inspections at hazardous waste generators, treatment facilities, and disposal sites to verify compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies, and permit conditions.

Provide strategic oversight and technical support to the Compliance Assistance Group in organizing and scheduling inspections and investigations related to hazardous waste management.

Ensure timely completion of inspections and reports in alignment with the Department’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Grant obligations.

Draft clear and concise inspection and investigation reports and follow up on identified violations to ensure appropriate enforcement actions are taken.

Facilitate referrals to the Bureau’s Enforcement Section when necessary and collaborate with EPA Region IV on oversight inspections as appropriate.

Offer advanced technical guidance on hazardous waste management to stakeholders including the public, government officials, consultants, regulated entities, and internal staff.

Serve as the division’s subject matter expert on RCRA Air Emissions within the Hazardous Waste Compliance Section.

Support RCRA permitting staff by reviewing permit applications and providing informed feedback.

Contribute to the development and revision of regulations through active participation in regulatory review processes.

Conduct thorough reviews of records from commercial hazardous waste facilities and generators to assess compliance with applicable requirements. Develop compliance determinations based on review findings and initiate enforcement referrals when warranted.

Ensure accurate and timely data entry and tracking within the Department’s and RCRA’s information systems.

Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and objectives of the division

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences, or related technical field;
• OR an associate degree in the natural or physical sciences, or related technical field, and two years of environmental health or related experience;
• OR high school and four years of environmental health or related experience.

Note: Degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, 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 will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have valid state driver's license, and ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Must have sound knowledge and experience in regulatory compliance and/or enforcement for the following BLWM programs: Hazardous Waste Management and Solid Waste Management.
• Must be able to comprehend and apply statutory and regulatory requirements for complex regulatory inspections.
• Ability to follow detailed, precise and complex inspection procedures and policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Must have experience using personal computers, Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be 40-hour Hazwoper trained, able to wear personal protective equipment, respirator fit tested and able to pass an annual medical monitoring examination.
• May require:
  • Daily travel throughout the state.
  • Occasional out-of-state and overnight travel.
  • Participation on the Environmental Response Team and is subject to on call or call back 24/7.

Qualifications

• Regulatory experience in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management.

Additional Information

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 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.