Job Responsibilities
This position is located at the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Central Office currently located at:
3440 Harden Street Ext, Columbia, SC 29203.
- Effective April 2025, the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs will relocate to:
400 Otarre Parkway, Cayce, SC 29033.**
About Our Agency
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates, and funds services for South Carolinians with the severe, lifelong disabilities of:
- intellectual disability and related disabilities
- autism spectrum disorder
- traumatic brain injury
- spinal cord injury and similar disability
Job Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for the oversight and supervision of engineering work regarding complex projects or highly technical functions within a specialized field. The incumbent will direct regional and state-wide projects, consult with government representatives, engineers, and contractors. The incumbent also oversees technical and administrative operations, including five DDSN Regional Centers and the DDSN Central Office. This position will exercise final approval authority over contracts, bidding procedures, and code interpretations, in accordance with state and agency procurement guidelines. The incumbent also serve as the agency liaison with the Department of Public Health (DPH) Division of Health Facility Construction, and Office of State Fire Marshal. Specific duties include:
- Responsible for securing multiple large procurements to address conditions at DDSN's (5) five regional centers. Plans and directs major state-wide and regional construction activities related to DDSN owned facilities and property. Maintains a five year capital project plan related to facilities operated by DDSN and coordinates with Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director to ensure funding needs. Coordinates maintenance of CPIP accounting records with Finance Division. Responsible for the oversight and procurement of agency engineering projects to include; Capital Budgeting, hiring consultants, on-site evaluations, design development, and the review of construction documents. Responsible for the advertisement of and ensures pre-bid meetings bids are received, witnessed and reviewed.
- Directs and reviews the preparation of schematic, design development, and construction documents. Includes drawings, specifications, and project manuals for all building and renovation projects of DDSN. Directs and reviews the preparation of schematic, design development, and construction documents. Includes drawings, specifications, and project manuals for all building and renovation projects of DDSN. Ensures in-house management review is conducted, plan revisions are requested as necessary, corrections are made, follow-up review is conducted to check corrections, ensures documents are complete and ready for bid advertisement. Coordinates with external advisors where considered necessary to ensure projects are fully compliant with regulations and codes.
- Responsible for the coordination with the DDSN Procurement office on any solicitations and ensures compliance and the implementation of procurement codes related to permanent improvement projects. Responsible for ensuring the Engineering Division is trained to addresses compliance issues related to the Procurement Codes to include requirements presented in the SC Consolidated Procurement code, Office of State Engineering State PIP manual, DPH Division of Health Facilities Construction Guidelines Manual, and codes from the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) and the South Carolina Building Code Council.
- Provides limited technical and consulting support to DDSN Providers for their capital projects as requested; includes Provider network in Solicitation and award in Indefinite Delivery of Contracts for architectural and engineering services with firms familiar with individuals with intellectual and other disabilities, and related residential, institutional, business and other buildings owned and operated by DDSN and our network of providers. Interfaces with the Provider network when needs arise to operations of DDSN-owned, provider-operated facilities. Assists in ensuring equity and consistency in SCDDSN responses to Provider requests for facility needs in accordance with department directives.
- Provides guidance to Engineering staff and ensures support in several Engineering program areas to include the oversight of Medicaid Environmental Modifications; off campus facilities to include community residences, program buildings and administration buildings; administrative and logistical support as it pertains to the Office of State Engineering, DDSN Procurement and the State Materials Management office; oversight regarding the Capital Grant program by ensuring the maintenance of grant award documentation for more than $100 million in Capital Grants to DDSN's provider network.
- Represents DDSN in meetings with architects, engineers, contractors, agency personnel and other state and local offices. Attends initial design strategy meetings, plan review meetings, pre-bid meeting, pre-construction meetings, site visits, substantial completions inspections, final completion inspections for all projects that require the Engineering Director's professional expertise. Maintains professional knowledge through attendance at or participations in training opportunities. Negotiates complex contracts and change orders for DDSN related to all construction projects.
- Negotiates complex contracts and change orders for DDSN related to all construction projects. Serves as the Department's liaison with DPH Division of Health Facility Construction regarding changes, renovations, and code compliance issues as DDSN owned facilities licensed by DPH. Serves as the Department's liaison with the Office of State Fire Marshal regarding the contract to review plans, provide life safety training to DDSN and Provider staff.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:
- 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
- 15 days sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance
- State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs
Minimum And Additional Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or construction science and management and advanced-level engineering or construction management work experience, including experience in a technical supervisory capacity, o r a bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of advanced-level engineering or construction management work experience, including experience in a technical supervisory capacity.
A valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Registration as a Professional Engineer by the South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Ten (10) years direct advanced-level architectural, engineering, or construction management work experience including experience in technical supervisory capacity.
Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of engineering or architecture appropriate to assigned area of responsibility. Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of the unit. Ability to interpret codes, laws and standards as they apply to planning, design and construction. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to oversee the work of subordinate engineering, technical and administrative staff members.
Additional Comments
About Our Agency: The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates, and funds services for South Carolinians with the severe, lifelong disabilities of intellectual disability and related disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and similar disability.
EEO Statement: DDSN provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex --including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
Employment Contingency: Employment is contingent upon our receipt of the following required pre-employment screenings: medical screening – to include a drug screening; State and Federal background criminal record checks (to include FBI fingerprinting), SC Dept. of Social Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry screening, and CMS “List of Excluded Individuals/Entities” screening; SC Dept. of Motor Vehicles Driving Record check; and a review of transcripts verifying educational credentials. We reserve the right to rescind this offer in the event minimum requirements are not met to include positions that require certifications and/or licensure, your application is incomplete or inaccurate, or our review of your background uncovers information, including opinions of previous employers and references, which cause us to conclude, at our sole discretion, that you are not suited for the position.
Immunization: If this position requires the applicant to work directly with DDSN consumers, a (2) step PPD testing or QuantiFERON TB Gold testing must be completed prior to beginning employment. All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, Varicella and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.
State Disaster Plan: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, DDSN employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.
Employee Referral: The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs supports a Referral Incentive Reward and a Retention Bonus program. You may contact Human Resource for further information .
Supplemental Questions: Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education
. A resume may not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
