Office of Laboratory Certification Program Manager (PM I)

Salary: $77,713.00 - $94,758.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number:
Agency: Department of Environmental Services
Division: Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AH45
Position Number:: 61008285/194108
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $77,713.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $94,758.00

About the Role:

Join the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) as the Program Manager for the Office of Laboratory Certification and lead South Carolina's Environmental Laboratory Certification Program. In this role, you will oversee a statewide regulatory program that helps ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of environmental laboratory testing in accordance with South Carolina Regulations 61-81 and 61-30.

Under limited supervision, you will serve as the State's certifying authority for the environmental laboratory certification program and provide leadership for the Office of Laboratory Certification. You will support regulatory compliance, promote program effectiveness, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance certification activities and program goals. You will also ensure compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requirements, performance standards, and regulatory timeframes.

Your work leading this statewide program will directly support public health and environmental protection by helping ensure laboratories across South Carolina produce accurate, reliable, and defensible analytical results.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise day-to-day activities of section staff. Ensure in-state and out-of-state renewals, evaluations, and certification applications are processed according to SC Regulation 61-81. Ensure staff maintain USEPA Drinking Water Certification and oversees proficiency testing, DMRQA requirements, and laboratory certification actions.
• Provide professional and technical advice to agency management, public and private officials, consultants, and industries regarding Environmental Laboratory Certification and state and federal regulations to ensure valid, accurate, and defensible analytical results.
• Develop, review, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Office. Review correspondence, prepare stakeholder communications, and maintain the Office website, ePermitting database, and Celmapp database.
• Generate, distribute, and ensure collection of billing and fees for certified laboratories in accordance with SC Regulation 61-30.
• Complete employee performance management (EPMS) and administrative requirements in accordance with Agency guidelines. Support implementation of the SCDES Strategic Plan and completes required administrative tasks including TIME, SCEIS, and other related functions.
• Perform other duties as requested and required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in the natural or physical sciences, public health, orrelated technical field with sixteen (16) hours of chemistry and five (5) years of environmental experience; OR
• A bachelor's degree in chemistry in natural or physical sciences, public health, or related technical field with sixteen (16) hours of chemistry and six (6) years of environmental 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. Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Additional Requirements:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and effectively coordinate a variety of administrative and management functions.
• The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and foster positive working relationships with coworkers, stakeholders, and customers.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to effectively communicate with, assist, and serve a diverse customer base while maintaining professionalism and adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel.
• The ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making in the performance of assigned duties.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, regulations, and methodology used to evaluate and certify laboratories to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulatory requirements, analytical methods, quality control standards, and certification criteria directly associated with drinking water, wastewater, and solid and hazardous waste programs.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned or personal vehicles.
• The ability to stand, walk, and climb for extended periods.
• Certification by the USEPA as a Drinking Water Certification Officer OR the ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of hire for Chemistry (Organic and Inorganic) and Microbiology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in quality assurance.

• Experience conducting laboratory audits.
• Supervisory or management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
• EPA Certified Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Officer.

Additional Comments

• This position requires attendance at a two (2) week EPA certification course, laboratory evaluations, required training sessions, and periodic staff and management meetings.
• Travel may be required with advance notice, including occasional overnight and out-of-state travel. Weekend work and response to emergency situations may also be required.

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

*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

Will you now or in the future require SCDES sponsorship for employment visa status?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a current or former employee of SCDHEC or SCDES?

• Yes
• No

04

Please select the option that best describes your education and/or experience as it relates to the minimum requirements for this role.

• I have a master's degree in the natural or physical sciences, public health, or related technical field with sixteen (16) hours of chemistry and five (5) years of environmental experience.
• I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry in natural or physical sciences, public health, or related technical field with sixteen (16) hours of chemistry and six (6) years of environmental experience.
• My qualifications do not match the minimum requirements for this position.

05

What best describes your experience in environmental regulatory compliance?

• I do not have direct experience in environmental regulatory compliance.
• I have a general knowledge of regulations but no direct compliance experience.
• I have working knowledge but no working experience.
• I have both working knowledge and work experience in regulatory compliance.

06

Have you conducted or overseen laboratory evaluations, audits, inspections, or assessments? If yes, please describe your experience.
07

Do you have experience directing, managing, or supervising the work of staff?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you a certified Laboratory Certification Officer, and can you provide a copy of your certification as part of this application? If yes, select all certification areas that apply.

• Microbiology
• Chemistry - Organic
• Chemistry - Inorganic
• I am certified in all of the above
• I am not a certified Laboratory Certification Officer

Required Question