Correctional Officer

Minnehaha County•Watertown, SD

3d•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 a safe, secure, and respectful facility while supporting inmates, colleagues, other agencies, and the public. The next new-hire class is scheduled to begin January 19, 2027. The recruitment may also be used to staff Correctional Systems Operator positions at a lower pay grade. The position includes 11 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training, including Crisis Intervention Training, and offers opportunities for advancement and special assignments within the Jail Division. Officers may also be promoted to Deputy Sheriff and become South Dakota Certified Law Enforcement Officers in the Patrol Division. The role is described as involving 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, with Friday through Sunday off every other week and year-long schedule rotations. The 2027 hiring range is $28.40 to $31.31 per hour, with earning potential up to $42.08 per hour and regular opportunities for increases. Additional pay may include a $1.00-per-hour night-shift differential and $0.50-per-hour bilingual specialty pay for officers who pass a bilingual exam. Newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers may qualify for retention bonuses subject to performance and program eligibility requirements. The County offers generous paid time off, extended sick leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System. Wellbeing resources include annual confidential mental-health visits, additional support for officers and family members, 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.
Successful completion of the pre-employment background process.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to maintain credibility as a witness in court.
Ability to make appropriate decisions quickly, tactfully, and impartially.
Ability to learn and apply law enforcement operations policies and procedures.
Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues, other agencies, and the public.
Professional appearance and respectful, approachable communication.

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 its perimeter.
Respond to emergencies and apply crisis-intervention and de-escalation techniques, including in mental-health situations.
Oversee inmate intake and release, fingerprinting and 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 accessing programs and services.
Handle communications equipment; log inmate movement and activity; distribute mail and supplies; and maintain detailed records across shifts.
Help maintain a secure, respectful environment for inmates, staff, and the public.
Perform physical restraint techniques as instructed to protect inmates and others.

Benefits

Regular opportunities for pay increases, including increases after the first, second, and third years for new officers, in addition to annual increases.
Potential retention bonuses for eligible newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service.
$1.00-per-hour night-shift differential.
$0.50-per-hour bilingual specialty pay for officers who pass a bilingual exam.
Paid 11-week classroom and on-the-job training, including Crisis Intervention Training.
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.
Generous paid time off and extended sick leave.
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System, described as providing lifetime income throughout retirement.