Deputy Sheriff

Minnehaha County•Fargo, ND

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring a Deputy Sheriff for its patrol team in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Deputies provide law enforcement services throughout Minnehaha County and several surrounding towns, with the mission of preserving public safety and quality of life. Prior law enforcement experience is not required; new Deputies who are not already certified attend South Dakota's 13-week law enforcement academy and then complete an intensive 15-week field training program. Certified officers proceed directly to field training. The role involves patrolling the county, investigating illegal or suspicious activity, interviewing victims and witnesses, enforcing traffic laws, assisting at accident scenes, serving warrants and legal documents, carrying out civil process procedures, locating people with arrest warrants, responding to dispatch calls, and mediating disputes. Deputies also engage with the community through schools, parades, town celebrations, and other outreach. The position offers 12-hour shifts, with 15 shifts per month and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays off every other week. The posting describes a 2027 hiring range of $33.12 to $36.51 per hour, with full earning potential up to $49.08 per hour. 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. Additional specialty pay is available for bilingual officers who pass a language proficiency exam. The office offers opportunities to pursue specializations including Crisis Negotiations, SWAT, Fugitive Task Force, EMT, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officers, and community engagement. Applicants must meet one of the listed education or work-history thresholds, 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 provide documentation supporting their minimum qualifications. The posting may also be used to fill other vacancies at a lower pay grade.

Requirements

Meet at least one minimum education or work-history qualification: 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.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required; a comprehensive training program is provided.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability may qualify for specialty pay after passing a language proficiency exam.
Existing law enforcement certification allows a new Deputy to proceed directly to field training.

Responsibilities

Patrol throughout Minnehaha County and surrounding communities to investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Conduct 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 to dispatch calls and mediate disputes.
Engage with the community through schools, local parades, town celebrations, and other outreach.
Uphold the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office mission to preserve public safety and quality of life.

Benefits

Generous paid time off and extended sick leave programs.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Paid holidays.
Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System.
Night shift differential of $1.00 per hour.
Retention payments of $1,000 at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service with good performance.
Pay increases of up to 5% after the first, second, and third year with good performance, in addition to annual increases.
Specialty pay for bilingual officers who pass a language proficiency exam.
Annual confidential mental health visits for officers, with additional sessions available for officers and family members.
Access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources.
Onsite workout facility, partnerships with local gyms, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education.