Deputy Sheriff

Minnehaha County • Minneapolis, MN

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, supporting the Sheriff's Office mission to preserve public safety and quality of life. Previous law enforcement experience is not required; new officers receive a comprehensive training program. The role includes a 13-week South Dakota law enforcement academy followed by an intensive 15-week field training program for newly hired Deputies who are not already certified. Certified officers proceed directly to field training.

The 2027 hiring range is $33.12 to $36.51 per hour, with full earning potential up to $49.08 per hour and regular opportunities for pay increases. With good performance, new officers may receive increases of up to 5% after each of their first three years, in addition to annual increases. The schedule consists of 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off every other week. Night shifts receive a $1.00-per-hour differential. Eligible newly hired Deputies may receive retention payments of $1,000 at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service with good performance. Bilingual officers who pass a language proficiency exam may receive specialty pay.

Deputies may pursue specializations including Crisis Negotiations, SWAT, Fugitive Task Force, EMT, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officers, and community engagement. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes community-oriented policing and involvement in schools, parades, and town celebrations. Benefits include PTO, extended sick leave, insurance coverage, paid holidays, and retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System. The County also provides mental health and wellbeing resources, including confidential annual mental health visits, additional support sessions for officers and family members, access to financial and legal resources, an onsite workout facility, gym partnerships, gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education.

Requirements

• Meet at least one of these education or work-history requirements: 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.

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.
• Conduct community outreach to build relationships, foster trust, and support community wellbeing.

Benefits

• Hourly pay with regular opportunities for pay increases
• Up to 5% pay increases after each of the first three years with good performance, in addition to annual increases
• $1.00-per-hour night shift differential
• Retention payments of $1,000 at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service for eligible newly hired Deputies with good performance
• Bilingual specialty pay for officers who pass a language proficiency exam
• Generous PTO
• Extended sick leave programs
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System
• Confidential annual mental health visits and additional support sessions for officers and family members
• Access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources
• Onsite workout facility and partnerships with local gyms
• Gym reimbursement
• Wellness challenges and health and fitness education

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree