Deputy Sheriff
About The Position
The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring a Deputy Sheriff to provide law enforcement services throughout Minnehaha County, including surrounding towns. The role supports the Sheriff's Office mission to preserve public safety and quality of life. Previous law enforcement experience is not required; new Deputies receive a comprehensive training program. After graduating from South Dakota's 13-week law enforcement academy, new Deputies complete an intensive 15-week field training program. Deputies who are already law enforcement certified begin field training directly. Deputies patrol the county, investigate illegal or suspicious activity, respond to dispatch calls, enforce traffic laws, assist victims at accident scenes, and perform other law enforcement and civil-process duties. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes community-oriented policing and encourages Deputies to engage with schools, parades, town celebrations, and local communities. The position is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 2027 hiring range is $33.12 to $36.51 per hour, with earning potential up to $49.08 per hour and opportunities for pay increases. The posting describes 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, and every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. A $1.00-per-hour night shift differential is available. Newly hired Deputies may receive retention payments at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service, subject to good performance. Specialty pay is available for bilingual officers who pass a language proficiency exam. Applicants must meet one of the listed education or work-history minimums, be at least 21 at the time of hiring, and be eligible for certification under the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission. Applicants must attach documentation verifying their minimum qualifications.
Requirements
- Meet one of the following minimum qualifications: two years of college or vocational school (48 credit hours); two years of work experience as a certified law enforcement officer; two years of active, full-time military experience; four years of military reserve experience; or four years of professional work experience.
- Be at least 21 years old at the time of hiring.
- Be eligible for certification under the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission.
- Attach documentation verifying minimum qualifications, such as a college transcript, proof of law enforcement certification, or DD214.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual language skills may qualify for specialty pay after passing a language proficiency exam.
- Existing law enforcement certification allows newly hired Deputies to proceed directly to field training.
Responsibilities
- Patrol throughout the county to investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
- Conduct thorough investigations and interview victims and witnesses.
- Enforce traffic laws and assist victims at accident scenes.
- Serve warrants and legal documents and perform civil process procedures.
- Locate individuals with arrest warrants.
- Respond promptly to dispatch calls and mediate disputes.
- Build community relationships through outreach and involvement in schools, parades, and town celebrations.
Benefits
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Generous paid time off and extended sick leave programs
- Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System
- Night shift differential of $1.00 per hour
- Retention bonus payments for eligible newly hired Deputies at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service, subject to good performance
- Potential pay increases, including increases of up to 5% after each of the first three years for good performance, in addition to annual increases
- Bilingual specialty pay for officers who pass a language proficiency exam
- Annual confidential mental health visits and additional sessions for officers and family members
- Access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources
- Onsite workout facility, local gym partnerships, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
