Entry Level Computer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $37,200.00 - $59,500.00 Annually
Location : Statewide, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 180806
Agency: Department of Public Safety
Opening Date: 10/01/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: BA30
Position Number:: 00000000
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Rotating Shifts
Pay Grade: GEN06
Hiring Range - Min.: $39,491.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $47,822.00
Opening Date: 10/01/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: ****THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILL NOT SPONSOR EMPLOYMENT VISAS FOR THIS POSITION. ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE. ALL CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES WILL BE THROUGH ELECTRONIC MAIL. ****The selection process can take several months, and applicants must travel to Blythewood, South Carolina at their own expense a minimum of two times. When completing your Work History on the state application, you MUST provide an accurate and specific answer to your "Reason for Leaving" (Resigned, Terminated, Laid-off, etc.). Failure to be completely truthful may be grounds for disqualification.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
The ideal candidate will possess strong customer service skills, the ability to work independently, and advanced multi-tasking skills in order to listen, talk, read, and type simultaneously with accuracy.
Receives and dispatches information to South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) enforcement personnel and other agencies over two-way radio systems, telephones, teletype, computer aided dispatch, and fax machine.
Maintains computer-aided dispatch (CAD) documentation of all radio transmissions, collision call-in reports, teletype reports, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) / Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) transactions. (This is the primary means utilized for documentation of information received.)
Receives calls from citizens requesting assistance for traffic accidents, reckless drivers, road rage, disabled motorists, attempting to contact troopers, and other road conditions that require emergency response. Provides information on road and weather conditions and best routes to travel.
Retrieves information from computer terminals for driver's license and vehicle registration, both in-state and out-of-state. Inquires NCIC to determine possible stolen vehicles, wanted and missing persons, and stolen gun reports.
Directs law enforcement officers to traffic accident scenes or any other type of situation requiring response.
Reads maps to find locations to relay to troopers in locating incidents.
Maintains recorder system, notifying personnel of any malfunctions.
Acts as backup for the Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) in receiving notification from Nuclear power plants and facilities of any potential unplanned or accidental release of radioactive material. Immediately notify the Bureau of Radiological Health and the EPD upon notification.
Receive calls for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Revenue (DOR) from the public requesting information and/or assistance after normal working hours.
Working Conditions: This position works in an office type setting and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods and the ability to maintain composure in emergency and stressful situations.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements -
A high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations. An associate degree in a technical communications discipline may be substituted for the required experience.
Agency Minimum Requirements -
A high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations, or an acceptable equivalency approved by the Division of State Human Resources. An associate's degree in a technical communications discipline may be substituted for the required experience.
Additional Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen and at least 18 years old.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Must be able to perform all essential and marginal job functions of a Communications Specialist III (Dispatcher).
All qualified applicants will be required to undergo an extensive background review, including a criminal history check, driving history, history of drug use, employer and personal reference check, a polygraph examination, interview board, and pre-employment drug screening test.
Applicants with current or prior public safety/law enforcement dispatch experience must provide all information regarding current or former employers, including dates of employment and contact information. This will be required to verify the claimed public safety dispatch experience.
Applicants must have the ability to convey and interpret oral and written communications to and from law enforcement officers and the general public.
Applicants must have the ability to type and operate a computer or quickly acquire typing and computer skills.
Applicants must possess the ability to solicit accurate information in an emergency situation.
Applicants must possess the ability to remain calm and make quick decisions during stressful situations and emergencies.
Applicants must have the ability to relate well with the public over the telephone.
Applicants must possess the ability to read a map.
Applicants must have the ability to pass and maintain National Crime Information Center
(NCIC) certification.
Applicants must possess a high degree of independence in completing the work with accountability for their own actions and decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
Applicants must be able to work at a fast pace where quick sound decision making is necessary.
Applicants must be able to work 12-hour rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours on short notice.
Applicants must be able to provide immediate response to emergency situations and determine required action in a calm manner.
All applicants will be required to participate in a background investigation to include; criminal history check, driving history, history of drug use, employer & reference check and a polygraph examination.
NOTE: If any Additional Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those Additional Requirements to be considered for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a customer service environment.
Entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations.
Additional Comments
The Communication Specialist III (Dispatcher) position is an essential position and a vital link to the trooper/officer in the performance of their job duties. This position REQUIRES the employee to work rotating 12-hour shifts, which include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours on short notice. Shifts are scheduled based on the center's needs to cover shifts 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Must work a minimum of 40 hours weekly.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol operates three (3) regional Telecommunications Centers. Telecommunications Centers are located in Blythewood, Florence, and Greenville. Applicants must select which center they are applying for in the supplemental questions portion of the application. Only Telecommunications Centers with current vacancies will be listed in the supplemental questions.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin. The department prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin.
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 a former SCDPS employee?

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered yes to question 1, when was your last day employed as an SCDPS employee? Please respond utilizing MM/DD/YYYY format. If you answered no to question 1, please write N/A.*
03
If you are a former SCDPS employee, why would you like to return to work at SCDPS? Please be specific. If this question does not apply, please write N/A.*
04
Please select from the following regarding your level of education and experience.

• At least a high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations, or an acceptable equivalency approved by the Division of State Human Resources.
• At least an associate's degree in a technical communications discipline.
• None of the above.

05
There are three (3) locations (Blythewood, Florence, and Greenville) in which you may apply to work for this position. Please select the center(s) for which you are applying.*

• Blythewood
• Florence
• Greenville

06
Are you a U.S. citizen?

• Yes
• No

07
If you answered yes to question number 6, please note if you are a U.S. Citizen by birth or naturalization (Please be prepared to provide a copy of your birth certificate or certificate of naturalization when requested.).

• By Birth
• By Naturalization

08
Have you ever previously applied for any SCDPS/SCHP Telecommunications Unit positions?

• Yes
• No

09
If you answered yes to question number 8, please list the SCDPS/SCHP Telecommunications Center(s) you previously applied with and your application's approximate date(s). If you answered no to question 8, please write N/A.
10
Are you currently a certified Telecommunications Operator/Dispatcher?

• Yes
• No

11
If you answered yes to question number 10, please list type and state(s) of certification(s). If you answered no to question number 10, please write N/A.
12
If you are not a certified Telecommunications Operator/Dispatcher, do you have prior Public Safety or Law Enforcement dispatch experience?

• Yes
• No

13
If you answered yes to question number 12, please tell us how many years of experience you have and include the Agency's name. If you answered no to question number 12, please write N/A.
14
Have you ever applied to any City, County, State, or Federal Law Enforcement Agency anywhere?

• Yes
• No

15
If you answered yes to question number 14, please provide the name of the agency(s) and approximate date of application. If you answered no to question number 14, please write N/A.
16
Have you ever worked for any Law Enforcement Agency in South Carolina or any other state?

• Yes
• No

17
If you answered yes to question number 16, please provide the name of the agency(s) and approximate service dates. If you answered no to question number 16, please write N/A.
18
Are you currently NCIC certified in the State of South Carolina?

• Yes
• No

19
If you answered yes to question 18, please select your current NCIC user level. If you answered no to question 18, please select N/A. (Please be prepared to provide a copy of your current NCIC Certificate when requested.)

• NCIC Full Function
• NCIC Inquiry
• N/A

20
This position requires working rotating 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours on short notice. Are you able to fulfill this job requirement?

• Yes
• No

21
If you answered no to question number 20, please provide a brief explanation as to why you would not be able to fulfill this job requirement. If you answered yes to question number 20, please write N/A.
22
Are you willing to accept the hiring range salary of $39,491 - $47,822?

• Yes
• No

23
If you answ...