Correctional Officer

Minnehaha County•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring Correctional Officers for its jail in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Officers help maintain public safety by keeping the facility secure, supervising inmates, responding to emergencies, and supporting jail operations. The role involves regular interaction with inmates, colleagues, other agencies, courts, and the public, and requires professionalism, sound judgment, and calm decision-making in high-pressure situations. New officers complete 11 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training, including Crisis Intervention Training, followed by support from experienced staff as they apply their training on the job. Training covers communication, de-escalation, defensive tactics, and the practical situations encountered in a jail. Successful completion earns certifications in Crisis Intervention Training, CPR and First Aid, NCIC Terminal Operator, NIMS, Pepper Spray, CJIS, and Defensive Tactics—Law Enforcement Krav Maga. Potential future certifications may include PepperBall, Pistol, and Taser 10. The job offers 12-hour shifts, with 15 shifts per month and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off every other week. Year-long rotations provide consistent schedules. The posting also describes opportunities for specialized assignments and promotion within the Jail Division, as well as possible progression to Deputy Sheriff in the Patrol Division. 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, with tact and impartiality.
Learn and apply law-enforcement operational policies and procedures.
Ability to perform physical restraint techniques as instructed.
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 intake and release processes, fingerprinting and photographing, property management, and accurate, secure documentation.
Supervise recreation, meals, medication distribution, visitations, and inmate movement.
Conduct NCIC checks and manage warrants and protection orders; support inmates accessing programs and services.
Handle communications equipment, log movement and activity, distribute mail and supplies, and maintain detailed records.
Help maintain a secure and respectful environment for inmates, staff, and the public.
Apply physical restraint techniques as instructed to support inmate and public safety.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues, other agencies, and the public.

Benefits

2027 hiring range of $28.40 to $31.31 per hour, with full earning potential up to $42.08 per hour and regular opportunities for pay increases.
New officers may receive up to 5% pay increases 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.
$1.00 per hour night-shift differential.
Additional $0.50 per hour for officers who pass a bilingual exam.
11 weeks of paid classroom and on-the-job training, with small classes and individual training.
Annual confidential mental-health visits and additional County 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.
Generous paid time off and extended sick leave.
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System, including lifetime income throughout retirement.