Special Agent I/II/III - VICE/Narcotics

Special Agent I/II/III - VICE/Narcotics

Salary

$61,000.00 - $77,165.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

26-089

Agency

State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Opening Date

07/08/2026

Closing Date

7/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Residency Requirement

Yes

Class Code:

JC20/JC30

Position Number:

60005537

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

LAW04

LAW06

Hiring Range - Min.

$61,000.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$77,165.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

All applicants must complete the on-line State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, nor will it be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

Residency Requirement (specifics):

Candidate must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, one of the following counties: Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Barnwell, Hampton, Allendale, Orangeburg, Bamberg, or Calhoun.

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Work week will be 43 hours, Monday - Friday, and subject to emergency call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is searching to fill a Special Agent position in our VICE - Narcotics Unit. The ideal candidate must have a bachelor's degree, integrity, and a strong desire for public service.

About SLED

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is a premier statewide law enforcement agency dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of South Carolina. With a proud history rooted in integrity, professionalism, and public service, SLED is committed to providing high-quality investigative, intelligence, and forensic services to support law enforcement agencies across the state.

At SLED, we value dedication, ethical conduct, accountability, and a strong commitment to justice. Our agency plays a vital role in maintaining public safety and supporting criminal justice efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. From advanced forensic science to homeland security, criminal investigations, and criminal justice information systems, SLEDs diverse responsibilities make it one of the most dynamic law enforcement agencies in the state.

We foster a professional work environment where teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement are fundamental. Our employees are held to the highest standards and are given opportunities to grow within a mission-driven organization that makes a meaningful difference in South Carolina communities.

Learn more about why you should join our team at www.sled.sc.gov.

General Responsibility:

Serve as a Special Agent in SLEDs Narcotics Unit. Participate in the detection of crime and enforcement of criminal laws with an emphasis on possession, distribution, manufacturing and/or trafficking of illegal drugs with a focus on disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. Plan and conduct complete investigations of complex and administrative cases or conduct portions of complex investigations. Perform tasks supporting local law enforcement.

Specific Duties:

• Conduct Investigations: Gather and develop material facts and obtain supporting information relating to the violations of state or federal laws. Agent should work to develop cases that are complex drug trafficking organizations. Interview or interrogate, as appropriate, suspects, victims and witnesses to crimes or relevant matters; examine records, collect physical and documentary evidence and establish contacts with law enforcement personnel and the public. Make arrests, participate in raids, searches and seizures; obtain an serve arrest warrants, search warrants, subpoenas, and court orders. Conduct surveillance of criminal suspects. Initiate contact with persons in a position to provide information and/or operational assistance in a matter under investigation and be responsible for controlling assigned activities of persons who have agreed to act as an informant or confidential source for SLED. Participate in stakeouts for fugitives or high-risk targets of anticipated crimes and in tracking, locating, and arrest of subjects. Gather and develop material facts and obtain supporting information relating to the suitability of fitness of persons being considered for high public office or for employment, license, or registration with SLED.
• Support Local Law Enforcement: Participate and assist local law enforcement agencies when requested and assigned by supervisor. Initiate, develop and maintain contact with local law enforcement to assist with narcotics investigations and to develop SLED Narcotic cases unless otherwise directed by supervisor. Perform extraditions as needed, transport high risk prisoners.
• Report Information: Prepare written statements/affidavits and reports of interviews from suspects, victims and witnesses to crimes or relevant matters. Prepare accurate and grammatically correct reports of investigative findings and prepare status reports for investigations. Communicate concerning cases and matters for briefing and advise other agents, supervisors, prosecutors and other officials as required. Report statistical information related to assigned cases as requested. Maintain proper documentation of confidential informants.
• Perform Administrative Tasks: Perform various administrative tasks required by SLED and the Narcotic Enforcement Unit; prepare and submit daily, input data in SCEIS, and submit weekly schedule to supervisor. Submit drug evidence to the SLED Forensics Laboratory. Obtain and keep accurate records of SLED discretionary funds, confidential fund expense vouchers and payment vouchers to confidential informants. Maintain accurate case files in assigned investigations. Prepare RAID plans. Prepare destruction orders and/or return evidence when cases have been disposed.
• Support Program Area/Other SLED Functions: Perform various support tasks relating to the Narcotics Enforcement Unit to include marijuana eradication, transporting subjects arrested in investigation to court, etc., and preparing seizure paperwork. Maintain issued equipment. Provide dignitary protection. Participate in the evacuation of persons from areas threatened by actual or impending disaster. Participate in measures to prevent and/or control civil disorder and acts of violence as they may arise from labor disputes or civil dissent and large gatherings of people. Participate in training and firearm qualifications. Assist other SLED units with investigations as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification as a Class I Law Enforcement Officer by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy if not already certified.
• Position subject to overnight travel and twenty-four hour emergency call.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of the following counties: Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Barnwell, Hampton, Allendale, Orangeburg, Bamberg, or Calhoun.
• Must be able to perform all of the physical requirements of a certified Class I LEO including, but is not limited to, the apprehension and arrest of criminals, including physically resistant individuals; performing investigations, inspections, search and seizures, including searching vehicles, buildings, attics, and crawl spaces; working crowd control and security during special events, including protests, marches, concerts, political rallies, and other events; working emergency response during natural disasters and other emergent crises. Must be able to respond 24/7 as needed and able to stand post or take other law enforcement action for long periods of continuous time (12+ hours).

Preferred Qualifications

• Class I Law Enforcement Certification by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy is preferred.
• Three (3) years of law enforcement investigative experience.

Additional Comments

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

SLED offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation of yourself may be grounds for disqualification.

Conditional selection based on candidate education, training, experience, oral interviews and clearance of background investigation.

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

Do you have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university; or will you have a bachelors degree within 90 days of the posting date?

• Yes
• No

02

Please describe your investigative/law enforcement experience in detail.

03

Are you a current Class I Certified Law Enforcement Officer through the SC Criminal Justice Academy? If yes, please list your date of certification.

04

Do you reside in or are you willing to relocate to one of the following SC counties? Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Barnwell, Hampton, Allendale, Orangeburg, Bamberg, or Calhoun.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you understand that this position is subject to overnight travel and 24-hour call?

• Yes
• No

06

As part of the application process, are you willing to submit to a polygraph examination?

• Yes
• No

07

If offered the position, are you willing to accept a salary offer between $61,000 and $77,165?

• Yes
• No

08

Have you ever purchased or sold any illegal drugs? If yes, provide name of drug and date of action.

09

Have you ever used/experimented with any illegal drugs? If yes, provide name of drug and last date used.

10

As part of the application process, are you willing to submit to a background investigation to include: a criminal history check, driving record, history of drug use, employer and personal reference checks?

• Yes
• No

11

As a condition of employment, I understand that all sworn and non-sworn employees, including contract and temporary employees will be subject to random drug testing.

• Yes
• No

12

I understand that these supplemental questions are an official part of this application. Any attempt to misrepresent myself may be grounds for disqualification.

• Yes
• No

13

I have read each question carefully and affirm or attest that all questions answered are true and correct?

• Yes
• No

14

Will you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the selection procedures (e.g., interview, written tests, or job demonstrations)? If yes, contact the human resources office of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division.

• Yes
• No

15

How did you learn about this career opportunity? (Careers.SC.Gov; LinkedIn; Employee Referral; Career Fair; Direct E-Mail; Etc.) Please specify below.

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Address 4400 Broad River Road

Columbia, South Carolina, 29210

Phone 803-896-7199

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.