Correctional Officer (SDSP)

the South Dakota State Government•Sioux Falls, SD

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is hiring a Correctional Officer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. The role maintains institutional security by enforcing DOC policies and post orders, protecting offenders and employees, and maintaining appropriate confinement conditions. It can provide an entry point into law enforcement and an opportunity to gain supervisory experience. New officers receive training in the aspects of the job; no prior education or experience is necessary, although a high school diploma or GED is listed among the ideal candidate qualifications. Officers work rotating shifts of 12 hours, including weekends and holidays, and must be available for day, afternoon, and overnight shifts. Duties include monitoring facility access and perimeters, managing offender movement, conducting searches and counts, escorting and transporting offenders, staffing armed posts, inspecting facilities, monitoring visits and mail, responding to emergencies, and documenting and communicating incidents. Armed posts require annual firearms certification. The work involves direct interaction with offenders and the public, and may include physical control or restraint situations, exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum during training and on assignment, and work in varying noise and temperature conditions, including outdoors and in concrete settings. The position is full-time and based at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. The listed salary is $25.60–$30.00 per hour, depending on experience. Uniforms are provided. Applicants must apply online; emailed resumes or submissions are not accepted. Successful applicants are subject to a background investigation, drug screening, and tuberculosis screening upon hire. Employment offers are conditional on successfully completing the drug screening, and new employees must verify identity and U.S. work eligibility. The state does not sponsor work visas.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Possess a valid driver's license.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Communicate fluently and clearly in English, verbally and in writing, and demonstrate English reading comprehension.
With or without reasonable accommodations, successfully pass all modules of South Dakota DOC Basic Training, including competency assessments and written and practical examinations in defensive tactics and firearms/armed transport.
Possess the physical ability to complete defensive tactics training and required physical control tasks, including lifting arms overhead, kicking to waist height, stabilizing and taking down another person, delivering blows with the arms, hands, and feet, withstanding controlled impact, rotating the body for defensive tactics, and repeatedly kneeling and rising.
Be able to see and hear to observe, address, and respond to potential safety and security breaches.
Be able to seize, hold, control, or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury.
Demonstrate agility and strength in all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently throughout the shift.
Work 12-hour rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, and be available for day, afternoon, and overnight shifts.
Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person, or restraint situations.
Communicate respectfully and effectively with offenders, their families, coworkers, supervisors, and the public, including people of diverse backgrounds and individuals who may be mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.
Remain alert and observant throughout the shift; monitor offender whereabouts and maintain accurate counts.
Conduct searches and use fingers to detect object attributes such as size, shape, and texture, and manipulate security equipment.
Safely operate and monitor mechanical doors and learn to use firearms, restraints, chemical agents, tasers, and communications equipment such as two-way radios, telephones, and public address equipment.
Follow the chain of command and established safety and security protocols.
Use intermediate computer keyboarding skills and communicate by computer-based email.
Study information and document events in a comprehensive and legible manner.
Be willing and able to travel.
Complete tuberculosis screening upon hire.
Undergo a background investigation and drug screening; an arrest or conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.
Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Form I-9; the state uses E-Verify.

Responsibilities

Enforce DOC policies and institutional post orders to maintain the safety and security of offenders and employees and appropriate confinement conditions.
Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas, and monitor the facility perimeter.
Staff armed posts and maintain annual firearms certification.
Maintain a controlled movement schedule for offenders.
Escort and transport offenders in authorized state vehicles while armed.
Monitor visiting areas and inspect inmate mail.
Conduct formal, informal, and emergency counts.
Conduct searches in accordance with policy, including searches of general areas, people, perimeters, and vehicles.
Inspect the facility and cells for health, safety, and sanitation standards.
Respond to emergencies using established protocols, including situations involving fights, medical emergencies, fires, or escapes.
Follow tool and key control procedures, including proper storage and documentation.
Attend shift briefings, document incidents using established reporting practices, and communicate pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.
Interact with, monitor, control, direct, and instruct offenders individually and in groups.
Interpret and apply department policies, institutional post orders, and procedures.