Special Agent I/II - Tactical Operations/Tracking

Special Agent I/II - Tactical Operations/Tracking

Salary

$61,000.00 - $70,150.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

26-122

Agency

State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Division

Counter Terrorism

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

10/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Residency Requirement

Yes

Class Code:

JC20/JC30

Position Number:

60005393

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

LAW04

LAW06

Hiring Range - Min.

$61,000.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$70,150.00

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):

Must live within a 30-mile radius of SLED Headquarters located at 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC.

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 Special Agent position in our Tactical Operations - Tracking Team. 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 under general supervision, participate in the detection of crime and the enforcement of criminal laws; plan and conduct complete investigations of complex and administrative cases, or conduct portions of complex investigations; perform tasks supporting local law enforcement; and work in a specific program area, the Tracking Team.

Specific Duties

• Conduct Investigations/Tracking Assignments: As a Special Agent, demonstrate expertise and knowledge of investigative techniques during tracking assignments. Meet the demands of schedule requirements while on call for the Tracking Team, including service after hours. While on call, respond to the call in a timely manner upon notification regardless of the time of day.
• Support Local Law Enforcement: Act as a positive liaison with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies by gathering information pertaining to the assignment and coordinating information with other agencies. Perform duties under physical and mental stress and demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making skills on tracking assignments. Demonstrate commitment to the Division and public safety by exhausting all leads prior to leaving a tracking assignment.
• Tracking Specific Duties: Utilize SLED tracking bloodhounds to assist federal, state, and other law enforcement with locating wanted and missing individuals. Promote positive training programs for bloodhounds and other police K9s. Track persons by identifying human sign with or without the use of a bloodhound. Track suspects or missing person by identifying footprints and or any other human sign with or without the bloodhound. Properly handle the bloodhound on actual and simulated calls. Perform duties such as patrol K9 decoying, assisting with patrol K9 training, and working in proximity of patrol K9s during calls. Maintain all issued/departmental equipment, ensuring it is kept in proper working order. Ensure the bloodhound meets monthly training standards.
• Reports and Administrative Tasks: Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and compliance with agency policy and directives. Perform administrative tasks in a professional and timely manner, including tracking and training reports. Adhere to agency policy and have a professional demeanor and appearance as a law enforcement officer. Communicate in a clear and concise manner in oral and written communications.
• Perform Special Assignments: Execute special assignments as directed by supervisor. Exhibit a willingness to perform tasks outside of the parameters of daily Tracking Team duties.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Bachelors Degree from an accredited college/university.
• Must be certified as a Class I Basic Law Enforcement Certification from the SC Criminal Justice Academy.
• Must be a member of the SLED SWAT Team or have the ability to become a member.
• Must be physically able to work long hours on your feet in all types of terrain and weather conditions during any applicable manhunt.
• Overnight travel may be required on occasion when working on an extended manhunt.
• Must be able to write accurate reports in a timely manner.
• 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).

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
• 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/university?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently a Certified Class I Law Enforcement Officer through the SC Criminal Justice Academy?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have any prior K-9 tracking team experience and/or tactical team experience? If yes, please describe.

04

Do you live within 30 miles or are you willing to relocate to within 30 miles of SLED Headquarters at 4400 Broad River Road in Columbia, South Carolina?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you understand this position requires the ability to be physically able to work hours on your feet in all types of terrain and weather conditions during any applicable manhunt?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you understand this position occasionally requires overnight, out of town travel when working an extended manhunt?

• Yes
• No

07

If offered the position, are you willing to accept a salary offer between $61,000 and $70,150?

• Yes
• No

08

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

09

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

• Yes
• No

10

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

11

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

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.