Deputy Sheriff

Minnehaha County • Bismarck, ND

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office is hiring a Deputy Sheriff to provide law enforcement services throughout Minnehaha County, including several 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 proceed directly to field training.

Deputies patrol the county, investigate illegal or suspicious activity, conduct investigations, interview victims and witnesses, enforce traffic laws, and assist at accident scenes. They respond to dispatch calls, mediate disputes, serve warrants and legal documents, perform civil process procedures, and locate individuals with arrest warrants. The position also involves community outreach and engagement.

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 position includes a $1.00 per hour night-shift differential and eligibility for retention payments of $1,000 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.

The schedule consists of 12-hour shifts, 15 shifts per month, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off every other week. The County offers paid time off and extended sick leave, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, paid holidays, and retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System. Wellbeing resources include annual confidential mental health visits, additional support sessions for officers and family members, financial and legal resources, an onsite workout facility, gym partnerships and reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education. Deputies may pursue specializations such as Crisis Negotiations, SWAT, Fugitive Task Force, EMT, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officer, and Community Engagement Committee assignments.

Applicants must meet at least one of the listed education or work-history pathways, be at least 21 at hiring, and be eligible for certification under the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission. Applicants must attach documentation verifying minimum qualifications. The posting may also be used to staff other vacancies at a lower pay grade.

Requirements

• Meet at least one minimum education or work-history requirement: 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 Minnehaha County to investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
• Conduct thorough investigations and interview victims and witnesses.
• Enforce traffic laws and assist victims at accident scenes.
• Respond promptly to dispatch calls and mediate disputes.
• Serve warrants and legal documents and perform civil process procedures.
• Locate individuals with arrest warrants.
• Build community relationships through outreach and engagement.

Benefits

• Regular opportunities for pay increases, including potential increases of up to 5% 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 with good performance.
• Specialty pay for bilingual officers who pass a language proficiency exam.
• Paid time off and extended sick leave programs.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid holidays.
• Retirement through the South Dakota Retirement System.
• Annual confidential 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, 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: No Education Listed