Corrections Lieutenant

the South Dakota State Government•Pierre, SD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Corrections Lieutenant serves as Shift Commander, maintaining operational oversight of daily facility operations, safety, and security. The role coordinates institutional services with medical, behavioral health, and administrative units to ensure operational continuity, and enforces Department of Corrections policies, Institutional Implementation Adjustments, and emergency protocols. As the ranking institutional officer on nights, weekends, and holidays, the Lieutenant directs personnel, monitors offender activities, and serves as the primary authority during critical incidents. The position is based at the South Dakota Women's Prison in Pierre, South Dakota. It is full-time and pays $30.00 to $33.00 per hour, depending on experience. The Lieutenant works a rotating schedule that may include 12-hour shifts, days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and may travel for official business, transports, or training as required. Candidates must meet one of the stated qualification tracks: three years of progressively responsible corrections experience in a secure facility working directly with offenders, including at least one year of active supervision at Sergeant rank or higher; or a combination of relevant post-secondary education and direct corrections experience totaling three years. Candidates must demonstrate prior authority over complex operational components, such as classification hearings, Institutional Classification Committee participation, multidisciplinary staffing, and formal offender grievance review. Employment requires successful completion of the South Dakota DOC Basic Training Academy, firearms and tactical qualifications, tolerance of OC spray exposure, and tuberculosis screening. Candidates must also meet the stated physical, sensory, and operational requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employment is contingent on background, drug, and abuse and neglect screenings, and verification of eligibility to work in the United States. The position is eligible for Veterans' Preference and is a member of Class B retirement under SDRS.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications through the standard track: three years of progressively responsible corrections experience in a secure facility working directly with offenders, including at least one year of active supervisory experience at Sergeant rank or higher with documented oversight of correctional personnel.
Alternatively, a combination of relevant post-secondary education in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral science field and direct corrections experience totaling three years.
Qualifying experience must involve active, direct service in a secure environment with clients detained against their will. Listed qualifying fields include custody and control, institutional education, correctional social work, medical or nursing services, large-scale food service, and general facility maintenance; offender supervision in correctional industries or specialized program implementations may also qualify.
Candidates must demonstrate prior authority in complex operational components, such as conducting classification hearings, participating in Institutional Classification Committees, leading multidisciplinary staffing, and reviewing formal offender grievances.
Successfully complete the SDDOC Basic Training Academy, including written, practical, and reading comprehension assessments.
Achieve and maintain department standards for firearms proficiency, armed transport protocols, and defensive tactics.
Tolerate direct exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum spray during training and operational assignments.
Complete mandatory tuberculosis screening upon hire and participate in ongoing institutional health protocols.
Meet physical and tactical requirements, including prolonged walking, standing and stair climbing; required range of motion, kneeling and standing repeatedly, defensive tactics, impact tolerance, and the ability to physically control non-compliant or assaultive individuals.
Maintain visual and auditory acuity sufficient to detect, evaluate, and respond to security threats.
Work effectively in high-stress environments and interact calmly and professionally with people displaying hostile, erratic, or unpredictable behavior.
Work professionally in a diverse environment and adapt to fluctuating noise and extreme temperatures, including indoor and outdoor conditions.
Be willing and able to travel for official business, transports, or training as required.
Maintain advanced knowledge of DOC policies, institutional procedures, state statutes, constitutional law concerning offender rights, penological principles, security methods, offender behavior, supervisory techniques, progressive discipline, workforce management, use-of-force policy, tactical communication, and the force continuum.
Demonstrate clear, authoritative communication under pressure; professionalism, leadership, and the ability to foster respect and morale.
Demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply regulations and legal mandates; collaborate across clinical, administrative, and security departments; make objective decisions; and remain decisive in emergencies.
Maintain exemplary attendance and responsible, policy-compliant leave usage.
Handle sensitive personnel and institutional intelligence files with discretion.
Successful applicants must undergo a background investigation, drug screening, and abuse and neglect 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.
The State does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees.
Must apply online; emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

Responsibilities

Serve as Shift Commander with operational authority over facility safety, security, and administrative functions during assigned shifts.
Coordinate with medical, mental health, and program staff to facilitate treatment and secure offender access.
Coordinate shift handovers, briefings, and intelligence sharing with incoming and outgoing shift commanders.
Maintain institutional logs, incident reports, and operational records in accordance with DOC documentation standards.
Manage and adjust personnel schedules to maintain required staffing and limit unnecessary overtime.
Inspect facility posts to verify staff alertness, compliance with post orders, and proper equipment operation.
Mentor staff and model professional boundaries and ethical standards.
Conduct performance appraisals, shift briefings, and policy updates, and manage leave requests.
Resolve staff conflicts, investigate initial reports of policy violations, and recommend disciplinary actions.
Serve as Initial Incident Commander during critical incidents until relieved by higher authority.
Authorize emergency protocols, initiate tactical drills, and evaluate staff performance in crisis simulations.
Oversee entry-point metal detector screenings, searches, and the chain of custody for confiscated contraband.
Direct inspections of physical security structures and electronic surveillance systems.
Direct and monitor offender movements, including high-risk transports, recreation, transfers, and medical lines.
Authorize and verify offender counts and promptly investigate discrepancies.
Oversee admissions and verify release and discharge paperwork.
Serve as a Disciplinary Hearing Officer when designated, reviewing evidence and deciding offender rule violations.
Arbitrate high-tension disputes using verbal de-escalation techniques.
Apply DOC policies, institutional procedures, statutes, constitutional requirements, and use-of-force policies.
Plan, assign, delegate, and audit subordinate security personnel's work.
Investigate complex incidents, assess conflicting evidence, and prepare findings.
Direct the safe operation, inventory, and training of authorized facility equipment, communications gear, and restraint systems.