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Senior Environmental Scientist Jobs in South Carolina

Mid-Level Environmental Scientist

Columbia, SC · Hybrid

$69.40K - $91.10K/yr

... a Mid-Level Environmental Scientist to join our team in Columbia, SC to support our Natural ... senior staff with the preparation of technical reports, including compiling and analyzing data ...

Water Resources Scientist / Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

$73.10K - $99.90K/yr

... mentor with senior staff members in addition to fine tuning technical writing and analysis skills. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental science, civil ...

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Senior Environmental Scientist information

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$47.8K

$92.9K

$137.3K

How much do senior environmental scientist jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior environmental scientist in South Carolina is $92,927.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $103,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Environmental Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Environmental Scientist, you need a strong background in environmental science, regulatory compliance, project management, and often a relevant master's degree or significant field experience. Familiarity with GIS software, data analysis tools, environmental impact assessment methodologies, and certifications like Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) are typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, leadership, and effective communication skills help you manage teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and present findings clearly. These competencies are essential to ensure accurate environmental assessments, regulatory adherence, and the successful execution of complex environmental projects.

How does a Senior Environmental Scientist typically collaborate with interdisciplinary teams during large-scale projects?

Senior Environmental Scientists often work closely with engineers, project managers, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders during large-scale projects. They are responsible for communicating complex environmental data, ensuring compliance with regulations, and integrating scientific findings into project planning. This collaborative environment requires strong communication and leadership skills, as well as the ability to balance scientific priorities with project goals. Regular team meetings and cross-functional workshops are common, allowing for effective coordination and problem-solving.

What does a Senior Environmental Scientist do?

A Senior Environmental Scientist is responsible for leading and managing environmental projects, conducting advanced research, and providing expert analysis on environmental issues such as pollution, sustainability, and compliance with regulations. They often oversee teams, design and implement field studies, and develop strategies to minimize environmental impact. Their role also includes preparing technical reports, advising organizations or government agencies, and ensuring that projects adhere to environmental laws and best practices.

What is the difference between Senior Environmental Scientist vs Environmental Consultant?

AspectSenior Environmental ScientistEnvironmental Consultant
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, often with certifications like GIS or environmental permitsBachelor's or Master's, with certifications like LEED, environmental impact assessments, or regulatory compliance
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, report writingClient consultations, project management, regulatory compliance, site assessments
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, environmental consulting firms, research institutionsConsulting firms, construction, energy, and manufacturing industries

Both roles involve environmental analysis and compliance, but Senior Environmental Scientists typically focus on research, data collection, and technical reporting, while Environmental Consultants often work directly with clients to advise on projects and regulatory requirements. The roles are complementary within the environmental industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina? The most popular types of Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina? For Senior Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Environmental Scientist jobs in South Carolina are:
What cities in South Carolina are hiring for Senior Environmental Scientist jobs? Cities in South Carolina with the most Senior Environmental Scientist job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Environmental Scientist job openings in South Carolina as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 77% Physical, 17% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,927 per year, or $44.7 per hour.
Senior Environmental Scientist

Senior Environmental Scientist

Pike Corporation

Fort Mill, SC

$73.40K - $98.40K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY: 

The Senior Environmental Scientist will support utility projects by conducting environmental assessments, including stream/wetlands delineation, plant and animal inventories, habitat assessments, environmental protection and mitigation planning, and environmental permitting. Incumbents are expected to have advanced knowledge of ecological systems, environmental regulatory conditions, have the ability to work independently, and mentor junior staff. In addition, the position will provide advanced support to the siting of electric transmission line and substation projects through the analysis of environmental, land use, cultural resource, and visual issues using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the most viable siting opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conducts field environmental assessments by traversing cleared and uncleared linear utility corridors and site-specific parcels to delineate, GPS, and map streams, wetlands, habitat, and identify plants and animal species.
  • Prepares environmental and technical reports to document the findings of the natural resource assessments and supports environmental protection, mitigation planning, and permitting
  • Provides regulatory and permitting application support; including but not limited to those associated with NEPA, SEPA, Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other state and local environmental review authorities. Coordinates with applicable review agencies
  • Supports line and substation siting by applying environmental principles.
  • Prepares, estimates, and budgets for specific environmental activities and monitors project costs
  • Develop and guide junior staff scientists.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by management.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK: Non-routine; general polices applied to frequently changing situations.

RELATIONSHIP OUTSIDE WORK GROUP: Influences decisions of major nature. High degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain good will. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Mentoring of junior staff scientist is expected

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

REGULAR ATTENDANCE is required

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

 Required A Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or University in Natural Sciences (e.g. biology, environmental sciences, ecology, forestry, soil science) or equivalent experience.

Experience 7-9 Year(s) Experience in Natural Resources and Ecological Consulting.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

Preferred certifications, licenses, and/or registrations may include but not necessarily limited to: 

  • Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) 
  • Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) 
  • ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Training 
  • Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: 

On-the-job training for administrative responsibilities and executing the transmission line and substation siting process will be provided. Incumbents will be expected to perform at a high level completing natural resources assessments, permitting, and other environmental review responsibilities with limited training and oversight.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

A.Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, operational procedures, etc. 

B.Ability to write reports, Business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 

C.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

A.Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

B.Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance. 

C.Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret spread sheets.

REASONING ABILITY: 

A.Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

B.Ability to define problems collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

  • Effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities 
  • Continuous improvement of job-related, technical, and professional knowledge, skills, and performance 
  • Effective oral and written communication skills 
  • Self-Motivated 
  • Work independently 
  • Team-Oriented 
  • Customer Oriented 
  • Able to manage multiple tasks and provide leadership to other team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 A. How much on the job time is spent in the following physical activities? Stand 2/3 and more (Regularly) Walk 2/3 and more (Regularly) Sit 1/3 to 2/3 (Frequently) Talk or Hear 2/3 and more (Regularly) Use Hands to Feel, Handle or finger tools or controls 2/3 and more (Regularly) Climb or balance Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Stoop, Kneel, Crouch or crawl Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Reach with Hands and Arms Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Taste or Smell Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) 

B. Does this job require that weight be lifted or force to be exerted? If so, how much and how often? Up to 10 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 25 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 50 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 100 Pounds Up to 1/3

C. Does this job have any special vision requirements? Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less) Distance Vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more) Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors) Peripheral visions (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point) Depth Perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships) Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust the eyes to bring an object into sharp focus)

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) None Work near moving mechanical parts Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Work in high, precarious places None Fumes or airborne particles None Toxic or caustic chemicals None Outdoor weather conditions 2/3 and more (Regularly) Extreme cold (non-weather) None Extreme Heat (non-weather) None Risk of electrical shock Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Work with explosives None Risk of radiation None Vibration Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) While performing this job, the noise level in the work environment is: Moderate Noise (Examples: business office with typewriters, and or computer printer, light traffic

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Pike Engineering is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled Pike Engineering is a Non-Union Company

United Grid Solutions is a team of planners and strategic thinkers dedicated to providing critical infrastructure solutions that improve lives around the world. Beginning with our role in connecting the first power plants to the earliest power grids, we have a longstanding history of delivering innovative and transformative solutions to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

Our team members have the opportunity to grow and advance while solving unique and complex challenges for the evolving infrastructure industry.