Want to help SC wildlife and sometimes work outside? Check out these 6 open state jobs
If you’d like one of the best state jobs that deals with wildlife, you’ll mostly need at least some kind of degree in biology.
The state of South Carolina has six open positions for full-time employment on its jobs portal website that pay annual salaries between almost $39,000 and over $72,000 a year. The jobs are in Colleton, Lexington, Aiken, and Charleston counties.
Wildlife biologist job #1
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Natural Resources is offering between $38,985 and $72,134 for a wildlife biologist in Colleton County. The person hired would serve as a wildlife biologist for Bear Island.
Job duties would include supervising and conducting management of the wetland habitat on Bear Island, monitoring and controlling invasive plant species, maintaining updated work plans and objectives for maintenance on the waterfowl area infrastructure, supervising and conducting public hunt programs, and more.
A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related technical area field and two years of experience are required for the job.
Wildlife biologist job #2
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Natural Resources is also offering between $38,985 and $72,134 for a wildlife biologist in Colleton County — only this person would supervise management activities on Donnelley, Botany Bay Plantation, and Edisto River WMAs.
Job duties would include supervising management of wildlife habitat properties in the area, updating property management plans as needed, supervising public hunt programs and other public use programs, working with Marine Resources and volunteers to accomplish management goals at Botany Bay Plantation, and more.
A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related technical area field and two years of experience are required for the job.
Wildlife biologist job #3
The natural resources department need a third wildlife biologist based in Lexington County to work with biological and technical staff to manage freshwater invertebrates around the state. The pay is also between $38,985 and $72,134 a year.
Job duties would include conducting mussel or other invertebrate surveys and surveys related to habitat restoration and enhancement, contributing to the culture, propagation, and stock enhancement of mollusk species, conducting educational outreach programs to interested groups, and more.
A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related technical area field and two years of experience are required for the job.
Wildlife biologist job #4
Meanwhile, the Marine Resources Division of the natural resources department is offering $51,319 a year for a wildlife biologist to help with implementing and reporting on various federal grant projects and long-term fisheries monitoring programs. These are programs that focus on recreationally important, commercially valuable, and ecologically significant invertebrates like blue crabs, shrimp, crayfish, and non-native crustaceans.
If hired, you would be involved in sample processing and data collection around the state.
A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related technical area field and two years of experience are required for the job.
Unlike the other jobs listed above, this one is grant-based and therefore will be temporary.
Natural resource technician
A natural resource technician is needed by the natural resources department to work in Georgetown County for between $27,510 and $50,905 a year. The person hired would serve as a field technician for Ramsey Grove and assist with other wildlife activities on various WMAs and Heritage Preserves in the region.
Job duties include assisting with and conducting the preparation, planting, cultivation, and management of waterfowl impoundments in Ramsey Grove, assisting other areas with wildlife and habitat management, maintaining equipment, as well as conducting public hunts on Ramsey Grove for deer and waterfowl.
Applicants must have at least a high school diploma and two years of related experience in wildlife, fisheries, or agricultural work or an associate degree in the technical sciences.
Outreach biologist
The Marine Resources Division of the Natural Resources Department also needs an outreach biologist in Charleston County. The person hired would be paid $46,753 a year and be responsible for conducting educational programs for K-12 students and the general public at the Marine Resources Center, in the ACE Basin, and at other department facilities.
Job duties would include conducting field trips for K-12 students that provide accurate and up-to-date information that enhances and increases knowledge and awareness of natural resources issues, serving as a deckhand on board the Educational Vessel Discovery, coordinating stewardship-based projects with students and teachers, assisting with planning and implementation of teacher trainings and workshops, maintaining educational fish tanks, and caring for animals collected, and more.
The job requires at least a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management, or a related technical area.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
