Beaufort County Council approved sign-on and relocation bonuses for new hires in the Detention Center, Emergency Medical Services Department, and the Sheriff’s Office.

“Public safety positions are historically difficult to fill and have become even more so recently,” said Scott Marshall, Human Resources Director. “We hope that this program, along with the five percent pay increase awarded to employees earlier this year, will help fill some critical staffing gaps.”

This policy, effective for employees with a hiring date of November 1 or later, will provide new employees with a sign-on bonus of $5,000, split between two installments: one upon hiring and the other after successfully completing a probationary period of employment. 

The policy also allows a $2,500 relocation bonus for eligible new hires as an incentive to reside in Beaufort County.

Allocating $500,000 from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, the program will help fill the critical workforce needs and these long-standing public safety vacancies.

This policy will remain in effect until the allocated funds have been fully expended or until December 31, 2024, whichever is sooner.

To be eligible for the sign-on bonus:

• Must pass all pre-employment screening requirements and complete the employee onboarding process; and
• Must not have previously received a sign-on bonus from Beaufort County.
• Former employees of the county must wait one year from the last day of employment and then reapply to the department.

To be eligible for the sign-on bonus with accompanying relocation bonus:

• Must not live within a 30-mile radius of the Beaufort County Robert Smalls Government Complex located at 100 Ribault Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, at the time of employment application.
• Must relocate to an address within Beaufort County, from which they will commute to and from work upon commencement of employment.
• Must establish Beaufort County residency within six (6) months of the hire date.
• Provide at least two forms of documentation, such as an updated driver’s license, a lease agreement, mortgage, utility bill, etc., for verification of relocation to a Beaufort County address.