Wildlife Biologist III

Salary: $52,100.00 - $88,600.00 Annually
Location : Charleston County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 187923
Agency: Department of Natural Resources
Division: Marine Resources Division
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
Closing Date: 5/19/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online.
Class Code:: LE70
Position Number:: 60017050
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN09
Hiring Range - Min.: $56,451.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $70,300.00
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
This employee will serve as Artificial Reef Program Coordinator and will be tasked with managing various aspects of the program including developing, designing, planning, coordinating and maintaining a system of man-made marine reefs in the estuarine, coastal and offshore waters of the state.

Job Duties Include:

• Providing programmatic level supervision for the South Carolina Marine Artificial Reef Program.
• Managing personnel and organizing all activities associated with reef material and vessel preparation including scheduling and program budgeting.
• Planning and coordinating field activities dealing with the management of all reef deployments.
• Insuring that decisions follow all federal and state permitting requirements and Agency policy guidelines.
• Exploring the development of new and emerging reef materials.
• Serving as the primary point of contact within the Marine Resources Division (MRD) for inquiries from the public, private industry, other government agencies and various user groups related to the Marine Artificial Reef Program.
• Participating in a wide variety of educational and public outreach activities for the MRD.
• Coordinating with Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI), Office of Fisheries Management (OFM) and Vessel Operations staff to ensure proper science based deployment of reef material and locations to maximize the benefit from the creation of artificial reef habitat for the management of marine resources.
• Coordinating with MRRI to aid in facilitation of research and monitoring of marine species as it interacts with artificial reefs.
• Serving as Scientific Diver and lead diver for the program ensuring program staff maintain appropriate dive qualifications.
• Ensuring dive equipment is maintained and ready for use and safe operation.
• Maintaining all necessary federal and state permits required for the deployment of artificial reef materials in state and federal waters and ensuring they are up to date.
• Closely coordinating with the DNR Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) when communicating with federal and state permitting agencies for pre and post notifications of construction or other permitting requirements.
• Ensuring department issued equipment for Marine Artificial Reef Program and subordinates are maintained and ready for safe operation and use.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A master's degree in biology, chemistry or wildlife management and two (2) years of experience in fish, wildlife or marine management or research programs; or a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area and four (4) years of experience in fish, wildlife or marine management or research programs.

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to work safely and effectively at sea on small boats and larger research vessels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to demonstrate a high degree of emotional maturity, task accomplishment through cooperative/team-focused approaches. Detail-oriented organizational and logistical skills preferred. Program/project management skills including personnel management and supervision, budget development and tracking, and report writing desired. Database management, GIS, and data analysis/statistics preferred. Working knowledge of offshore electronic charting, navigation, side scan sonar and operation of marine vessels up to 24ft in length is a plus.
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

Are you currently employed with SCDNR?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have AT LEAST a master's degree in biology, chemistry or wildlife management AND two (2) years of experience in fish, wildlife or marine management or research programs OR a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area AND four (4) years of experience in fish, wildlife or marine management or research programs?

• Yes
• No

Required Question