Project Engineer Jobs in Beaufort, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $65,071.83 - $79,100.00 Annually
Location : Watershed - Bluffton, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600129
Department: Projects & Watershed Resilance
Division: Watershed
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to manage Capital Improvement Program (CIP) stormwater drainage/infrastructure and water quality infrastructure projects for the Town of Bluffton (Town). Primary responsibilities include: coordinating design, permitting, bidding, easement acquisitions, grant monitoring and construction administration of various Town Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects; and supporting Town's contracting and procurement policies.
Essential Job Functions

• Assists in planning, monitoring, budgeting and administering stormwater drainage and water quality CIP projects.
• Assists in scoping projects and establishing contracts to address specific project requirements for the Town.
• Assists in developing project designs and cost estimates.
• Manages the CIP design process including initial project programming and budgeting, surveying, conceptual planning, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and work of other design professionals and consultants.
• Supervises daily interface activities of contractors, architects, engineers, surveyors, and third-party utility agencies.
• Obtain, evaluate and monitor testing and inspection services including CMT and geotechnical.
• Manages the easement acquisition process including identifying and obtaining, plats, appraisals, easement documents, negotiating with property owners and coordinating with Town Attorney and Town Council for review and approval.
• Prepare solicitations for design and construction, such as Invitation for Bid, Request for Proposals, and Requests for Qualifications.
• Prepares construction contracts for review and approval by Purchasing Administrator, Department Director, Town Attorney, Town Council and contractor.
• Monitors project permitting with Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies.
• Manages construction administration including; executing contracts, bonds, and insurance; preparing field progress reports, change orders; reviewing progress shop drawings schedules and pay requests; and monitoring overall quality control and third party inspections.
• Prepares and report monthly updates on status, schedule, and budget analysis. Submit quarterly budget updates to Finance.
• Prepares Staff Reports and presentation materials for monthly Town Council meetings and quarterly workshops as requested.
• Supports other Project Managers on specific project tasks or components.
• Ensures projects achieve required acceptance and proper closeout with regulatory agencies and meet Town standards.
• Reviews sourcing documents to make sure activities are consistent with approved Town's policies and procedures.
• Maintains contract change order log; payment ledger; contract value; approved payments; retainage; balance dues, etc.
• Assists other Town staff with procurement and sourcing activities in support of Town goals and objectives.
• Assists with grant duties including preparation of applications, budgets, schedules, exhibits and progress reporting.
• Oversees the work of contractors.
• Creates and maintains related computer databases.
• Plans, manages, and coordinates activities involving easement acquisition, construction, improvement, and maintenance of Town drainage systems including road drainage projects, outfall drainage projects, and pipe installations; uses GIS and Cartegraph asset management software.
• Conducts and documents inspections on open channels for MS4 requirements; schedules maintenance projects and pre-storm inspections.
• Inspects and monitors drainage systems and related areas to identify problems, necessary repairs, or other situations requiring attention; issues work orders for required maintenance/repair work; and reports damage/vandalism, potentially hazardous/dangerous situations, or other problems to appropriate personnel.
• Coordinates with other Town personnel, county staff, state agencies, utility companies, contractors, consulting engineers, and the general public.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and other materials to become and remain current on new principles and practices in assigned areas.
• Responds to inquiries from the public and addresses concerns as required.
• Performs emergency or disaster-related duties as assigned
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, landscape architect, or a related field; and five (5) years of related work experience in storm drainage design, construction and inspection (including sediment and erosion control), infrastructure maintenance, and project management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid South Carolina driver's license. Certifications or training required: Defensive Driving Certification; FEMA Emergency Management Institute Training IS-00100 and IS-00700.
• Certifications or training preferred: Have (or obtain within six (6) months of hire) a certification as a South Carolina Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector (CEPSCI); Certified. Post-Construction Best Management Practice Inspector.

Special Requirements:
None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Town, Department, and Division operations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of hydrology and hydraulic engineering principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of civil engineering.
• Knowledge of the Town's development standards and ordinances.
• Knowledge of generally accepted storm drainage and water quality best management practices construction standards, methods, materials, techniques, phases, designs, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of engineering terminology.
• Knowledge of computer program applications, including GIS, related to project administration.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, regulations, codes and ordinances, as they apply to storm water management and erosion control.
• Knowledge of the NPDES storm water permit program regulations and requirements.
• Skill in creating and maintaining computer databases and related software.
• Skill in making quantity estimates and calculations.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret policies and ordinances to others.
• Ability to present and promote Department projects to the general public and media.
• Ability to review and oversee the work of contractors.
• Ability to detect discrepancies or deficiencies in project construction work and plans.
• Ability to coordinate work with utilities and other agencies/departments.
• Ability to make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to read and understand plans and engineering studies.
• Ability to estimate construction costs of projects.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications,
• Ability to prepare and present reports.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks simultaneously,
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town management and personnel, area businesses, property owner associations, homeowners, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, other related professionals, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The work is light work. The employee is frequently required to apply 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. In addition, positions in this classification typically require balancing, grasping, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pushing, reaching, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity to determine accuracy or observe facilities/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking.
Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors. When indoors, works occurs mainly in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, phones, and printers along with some light foot traffic. When performed outdoors under various weather conditions, there is some exposure to fumes, bloodborne pathogens, and airborne particles; exposure to chemical, toxic substances, explosives, and electrical hazards; exposure to vibrations and loud noises (such as traffic and moving equipment); possibility of working in high places; and exposure to risks requiring wearing protective gear such as respirators.
The Town of Bluffton has the right to revise this job description at any time. This
description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Bluffton commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The Town's policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Health and Dental Insurance
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, and Town Council members are eligible to participate in the Town's health plan through the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). If an employee elects to be covered, the cost for the coverage will be deducted from each paycheck. The Town covers the premiums for the employee portion of the State Health and the State Dental plans. The employee will be responsible for the cost of any additional dependent premiums selected. For more information regarding the health plans click
Paid Time Off (PTO)
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, will start accruing PTO on the first day of employment. PTO is a cumulative bank of time for sick days, vacation time, and bereavement leave.
Full-time employees will accrue PTO according to the following schedule:

• 0-5 years of employment: 5.2 hours / pay period
• 6-9 years of employment: 6.8 hours / pay period
• Over 9 years of employment: 8.32 hours / pay period

Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers 13 paid holidays and 1 personal day (8.5 hours):

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents' Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving
• Heritage Day (Friday after Thanksgiving)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Personal Day

Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers PTO to employees for absences related to the death of immediate family members and fellow employees or retirees of Town of Bluffton.
Paid Parental Leave
The Town of Bluffton will provide up to six weeks or two weeks of paid parental leave upon the occurrence of a qualifying event to employees who occupy a full-time position.
Milestone Anniversary Bonus
Employee will receive a monetary bonus once they have reached a milestone anniversary (5,10,15,...).
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts are a tax-saving way to pay health care and dependent care expenses that you would typically pay out-of-pocket. Expenses such as deductibles, co payments, coinsurance, prescriptions, dental procedures and eyeglasses can quickly add up, and dependent care expenses can add up even more. The FSA's let you pay these expenses with pretax dollars.
Contributions are deducted from your pretax pay in equal amounts during the year. This means you save money, as contributions are not subject to Social Security tax, federal income tax or state income tax.
Medical Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Account enrollments are only valid for one year and be re-enrolled during the Annual Open Enrollment Period in order to continue. Your account(s) will not automatically renew each year.
Pension Plans: South Carolina Retirement System or Police Officer Retirement System
All regular full-time and part-time employees and Town Council are required by law to join the South Carolina Retirement Systems. Seasonal and temporary employees have the option to opt out of the memberships.
The Town offers two plans for employees, the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and the Police Officer Retirement System (PORS). Each employee/participant is required to contribute a certain percentage of their gross salary to the Retirement System. The actual contribution amounts are subject to change per legislation but will be provided upon hire date. The employee contributions ar