Correctional Officers

Minnehaha County • Yankton, SD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring Correctional Officers for its facility in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Officers help maintain safety, security, and orderly operations within the jail, protecting inmates, staff, and the community. Hiring supports the facility's expansion, with a new-hire class scheduled to start November 30, 2026, and additional hiring planned for early 2027. The application deadline is November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central.

The position includes 11 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training, including Crisis Intervention Training, with small classes and one-to-one training. Successful trainees earn certifications in Crisis Intervention Training, CPR and First Aid, NCIC Terminal Operator, NIMS, Pepper Spray, CJIS, and Defensive Tactics—Law Enforcement Krav Maga. Officers work 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, on year-long rotations; the posting describes every other week as having Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. Night shifts receive a $1.00 per hour differential, and officers who pass a bilingual exam may receive an additional $0.50 per hour.

The hiring range is $27.57 to $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 $1,000 retention bonuses at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months, subject to performance and program eligibility requirements. The posting also describes career advancement opportunities within the Jail Division and the possibility of promotion to Deputy Sheriff in the Patrol Division.

Benefits include generous paid time off, extended sick leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and retirement through the state pension plan. Officers also have access to annual confidential mental-health visits, additional support resources, an onsite workout facility, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education. This recruitment may also be used to staff Correctional Systems Operator positions at a lower pay grade.

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 policies and procedures of law enforcement operations.
• Perform physical restraint techniques as instructed to ensure 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, apply crisis-intervention techniques, and de-escalate mental-health situations.
• Oversee inmate intake and release, including fingerprinting, photographing, property management, and accurate documentation.
• Supervise recreation, meals, medication distribution, visitations, and inmate movement.
• Conduct NCIC checks, manage warrants and protection orders, and support inmates as they access programs and services.
• Handle communications equipment, log movement and activity, distribute mail and supplies, and maintain detailed records.
• Help maintain a safe, secure, respectful environment for inmates, staff, and the public.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Extended sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement through the state pension plan, described as providing lifetime income throughout retirement.
• Annual confidential mental-health visits and additional support sessions and resources for officers and family members.
• Onsite workout facility, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education.
• Potential retention bonuses for newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers who meet performance and program eligibility requirements.
• Night shift differential and potential bilingual specialty pay.
• Potential pay increases after the first, second, and third years, in addition to annual increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED