S.C. Code Ann. § 43-3-40: County directors; selection; salaries; duties.

(A) The director shall select a director for each county department, referred to in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 19, and 23 as the county director, to discharge the duties of such office and may select regional directors to oversee the county directors. The salaries of county directors and any regional directors shall be fixed by the director. In fixing these salaries the director shall consider the individual qualifications of the respective directors and the possibilities of their individual positions. The county director shall be the chief executive officer of the county department and shall perform duties as are directed by the director, regional director, or as directed by law.

(B) Regional and county directors serve at the pleasure of the Director of the State Department of Social Services.