Correctional Officers

Minnehaha County•Racine, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring Correctional Officers for its jail in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Officers help maintain safety and security as the facility expands. The next new-hire class is scheduled to begin November 30, 2026, with additional hiring planned for early 2027. The application deadline is November 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central. This recruitment may also be used to staff Correctional Systems Operator positions at a lower pay grade. The role involves protecting inmates, staff, and the community by maintaining a secure, orderly facility and responding professionally to routine and high-pressure situations. Officers receive 11 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training, including Crisis Intervention Training and instruction in communication, de-escalation, and defensive tactics. After training, officers continue developing their skills with support from experienced staff. The position offers opportunities for special assignments and advancement within the Jail Division, as well as potential progression to Deputy Sheriff and South Dakota Certified Law Enforcement Officer roles in the Patrol Division. The hiring range is $27.57–$30.40 per hour, with full earning potential up to $40.85 per hour. New officers may receive pay increases of up to 5% after each of their first three years, in addition to annual increases. Newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers may qualify for retention bonuses of $1,000 at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months, subject to performance and program eligibility. Night-shift differential is $1.00 per hour, and officers who pass a bilingual exam may receive an additional $0.50 per hour. The schedule consists of 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off every other week. Year-long rotations provide consistent schedules. The County describes its staffing approach as supporting work/life balance for its 160-plus employees. Benefits include generous paid time off, extended sick leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and retirement through the state pension plan. Wellness resources include annual confidential mental-health visits, additional support sessions for employees and family members, access to financial and legal resources, an onsite workout facility, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of relevant work experience; a comparable combination of education and work experience may be considered.
Valid driver's license and ability to maintain a safe driving record with Minnehaha County.
Successfully complete the pre-employment background process.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Maintain the ability to be a credible witness in court.
Make appropriate decisions quickly, tactfully, and impartially.
Learn and apply law-enforcement operational policies and procedures.
Perform all functions of physical restraint techniques as instructed, for inmate and others' safety.
Build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues, other agencies, and the public.
Present a professional appearance and communicate respectfully and approachably.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Experience working in corrections.
Knowledge of legal terminology.

Responsibilities

Conduct inmate head counts, wellness checks, cell inspections, and security rounds throughout the jail and perimeter.
Respond to emergencies and use crisis-intervention and de-escalation techniques, including in mental-health situations.
Oversee inmate intake and release, including fingerprinting, photographing, property management, and accurate, secure documentation.
Supervise recreation, meals, medication distribution, visitations, and inmate movement.
Conduct NCIC checks, manage warrants and protection orders, and support inmates in accessing programs and services.
Handle communications equipment; log movement and activity; distribute mail and supplies; and maintain detailed records.
Help provide a secure, respectful environment for inmates, staff, and the public.
Complete required training and apply jail policies, procedures, communication strategies, and defensive tactics.

Benefits

Generous paid time off and extended sick leave.
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Retirement through the state pension plan.
Potential retention bonuses for newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers, subject to performance and program eligibility.
Night-shift differential pay.
Additional bilingual specialty pay for officers who pass a bilingual exam.
Annual confidential mental-health visits and additional support sessions for officers and family members.
Access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources.
Onsite workout facility, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education.
Paid classroom and on-the-job training.