Correctional Officer

the South Dakota State Government•Pierre, SD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is hiring a Correctional Officer at the Women's Prison in Pierre. The officer maintains custody of women in the facility by enforcing institutional operations memoranda and procedures to protect the safety and security of inmates and employees and maintain confinement conditions. Officers are assigned to posts such as a control room, cell hall, visit room, or recreational area. Common duties include observing and supervising inmates, assigning and monitoring work, preparing incident and rule-infraction reports, conducting counts, maintaining log books, escorting and transporting inmates, inspecting and searching people and areas, controlling gates and cell doors, and responding to crises. Officers work 12-hour rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays. New officers are trained; no prior education or experience is necessary.

Requirements

No prior education or experience is necessary; the department provides training.
Successfully pass all modules of South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical exams in defensive tactics and firearms/armed transport.
Successfully complete defensive tactics requirements, including the physical tasks described in the posting.
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 body agility, strength of all four limbs, and ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
Work 12-hour rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, and various shifts such as days, afternoons, and graveyards.
Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person, and restraint situations.
Work respectfully with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and mentally ill or emotionally disturbed offenders.
Communicate by speaking, listening, or signaling to convey or exchange information and assignments.
Work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, including outdoors in inclement weather and in concrete-floor or wall settings.
Be willing and able to travel.
Complete required tuberculosis screening upon hire.
Effectively communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing.
Use intermediate computer keyboarding skills and communicate via computer-based email.
Study information and recount events in comprehensive, legible written reports.
Remain alert and observant throughout the shift.
Conduct searches, including general-area, metal-detector, pat, perimeter, strip, and vehicle searches.
Manipulate security equipment and safely operate and monitor mechanical doors.
Learn and safely use firearms, restraints, chemical agents, and tasers according to policy.
Learn to operate communications equipment, including two-way radios, telephones, and public-address equipment.
Follow the chain of command and established safety and security protocols.
Use physical force to control a situation when necessary.
Interpret and apply department policies, institutional post orders, and procedures.
Undergo a background investigation, drug screening, and abuse and neglect screening.
Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Form I-9; the state uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate has knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
The ideal candidate can apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry.
The ideal candidate can participate in criminal justice system processes relating to treatment of inmates, including state statutes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and department regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines.
The ideal candidate can communicate respectfully with offender families and the public and work effectively with offenders in a variety of situations.
The ideal candidate can incorporate the South Dakota DOC Mission statement into daily duties.

Responsibilities

Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas, and monitor the facility perimeter.
Manning an armed post, including maintaining annual firearms certification.
Maintain controlled movement schedules for offenders.
Escort and transport offenders in authorized state vehicles while armed.
Monitor visiting areas.
Conduct formal, informal, and emergency counts.
Conduct searches in accordance with policy.
Inspect the facility and cells to maintain health, safety, and sanitation standards.
Inspect inmate mail.
Follow established protocols when responding to emergencies.
Follow tool and key control procedures, including proper storage and documentation.
Attend shift briefings.
Document incidents using established reporting practices.
Communicate pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.
Observe, supervise, direct, and instruct inmates in assigned areas and activities.
Prepare reports of incidents and rule infractions, conduct inmate counts, and maintain log books.
Escort and transport inmates to and from inside and outside appointments.
Inspect and search cells, common areas, inmates, and visitors.
Monitor and control gates and cell doors.
Respond to crisis situations, including fights, medical emergencies, fires, or escapes.