Correctional Officers

Job Description This position is located in historic downtown Sioux Falls in Southeastern South Dakota. Why Join Our Team The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office , located in historic downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota , invites applications for Correctional Officers to maintain safety and security within one of the most well respected facilities around! New hire classes start regularly so, whether you are ready to start right away or need some time yet, apply now!
WHAT DOES THIS CAREER OFFER YOU? GREAT WAGES!Hiring range of $25.37/hr - $27.98/hr with a full earning potential up to $36.70/hr PLUS regular opportunities for pay increases.  New officers will receive up to 5% increases in pay after the first and second year IN ADDITION to annual increases and will be earning $28.81/hr in just two years, with good performance. RETENTION BONUS!Newly hired Correctional Officers who start in 2024 are eligible to receive $1,000 at 9 months, 18 months, 27 months, and 36 months of service, with good performance. CAREER PREPARATION!Through the training and expertise gained in our Jail, our COs have gone on to be hired into 50+ different county, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and now hold positions including Police Officer, Animal Control, Fire Rescue, Deputy Sheriff, DCI Agent, Juvenile Case Agent, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Parole Officer, Probation Officer, and more. NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL!Now paying a $1.00/hr night shift differential. STRONG STAFFING LEVELS!We take a proactive approach to staffing so our 150+ employees can maintain a healthy work/life balance. BILINGUAL PAY!Specialty pay of an additional $0.50/hr for officers who pass a bilingual exam.  PAID TRAINING!2.5 months of classroom and on-the-job training. Small training classes mean all new officers get personal, 1:1 training. EXPANDED EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM!Confidential counseling visits for employees and their family members in addition to access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources. 12 HOUR SHIFTS!Work 15 shifts a month and have Fri/Sat/Sun off every other week.  Year-long, consistent schedules. CAREER ADVANCEMENT!Possible opportunities for special assignments and promotions within the Jail Division including Transporter, Court Security Officer, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Warden. Our COs are routinely promoted to Deputy Sheriff to become certified law enforcement officers with our Patrol Division. COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS! Generous PTO, Extended Sick Leave, Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Retirement through state pension plan - that means lifetime income provided THROUGHOUT retirement! HOW IS THIS JOB GOING TO HELP YOU PERSONALLY GROW AND DEVELOP? Working as a Correctional Officer improves your ability to communicate in your personal life, builds strong problem-solving abilities, and increases confidence and skills in professionally handling conflict.  Our experienced instructors will teach you the techniques you need to handle the daily situations a Correctional Officer encounters in our Jail.  You will learn how to effectively interpret body language, quickly assess conditions and circumstances, and make sound decisions to resolve conflict in complex situations.  We will teach you fundamental communication strategies and defensive tactics to de-escalate situations to ensure safety within the Jail.  As a new Correctional Officer with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, you will go through an intensive training and then immediately begin reinforcing your training on the job, once you graduate.  Being a Correctional Officer also builds patience, empathy, and a greater understanding of humanity.
WHAT DO FORMER JAIL EMPLOYEES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HOW WORKING AT THE JAIL SHAPED THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS? Detective Redmond, Sioux Falls Police Department 23 years in Law Enforcement "I worked at the jail for 5 years before getting hired with the Sioux Falls Police Department and have been with them for 23 years. The jail is a great learning experience and a good stepping stone to your law enforcement career."
Lieutenant Forster, Sioux Falls Police Department 28 years in Law Enforcement        "I began my law enforcement career with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office as a Corrections Officer in 1996. During this time, I spent just over 4 years working in the county jail, before promoting to Deputy Sheriff on patrol. My time in this position helped to mold my now 28-year career in the field. Some of the most important tools I learned were during my time in corrections, mainly, the communication with others and work ethic it takes to serve the community."
Sergeant Munkvold, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office 8 years in Law Enforcement "I went into Corrections and Law Enforcement to help people. In the jail, I worked with people at some of the most vulnerable times of their life, and that in itself is a scary thing to go through. My hope is that as a correctional officer, I was able to make people feel safe and respected. Hopefully, through their interactions with me and through their experience, they are a better person when they get out. Being a Correctional Officer helped me learn about the criminal justice system, taught me how to de-escalate challenging encounters, helped me work in a team environment, but most importantly it taught me to treat people with respect. I have taken those same skills out onto Patrol and use them every day."
Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer Cody, Immigration and Customs Enforcement 22 years in Law Enforcement "I began my law enforcement career as a Correctional Officer at the Minnehaha County Jail in 2002. I spent just short of a year as a CO then became a United States Border Patrol Agent followed by an Immigration Enforcement Agent, Deportation Officer, and ultimately a Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The training and experience I received as a CO have been instrumental throughout my career. Effective communication skills are essential in any profession but particularly in law enforcement. Your time as a CO will provide you with the opportunity to become an adept communicator with endless opportunities in the law enforcement field."
Officer Starr, Sioux Falls Police Department 25 years in Law Enforcement "I worked for the Jail from 1997 to 2000. I initially didn't want to work the jail as I was certified law enforcement. I shortly found out I had no idea at all about the workings of the jail. I actually found that I enjoyed working there. I was very naïve in my thoughts and believed only bad people were in jail. I learned that its filled with all sorts of people from all walks of life, and they were just like me, a person that had made mistakes, but had been caught. Was an eye-opening experience that I now firmly believe every officer should experience before being released to the streets. The jail teaches you lots of things. Most importantly how to talk to people and how to treat people. I have currently been with Sioux Falls police for almost 25 years now, I retire this October."
Officer Fatone, Sioux Falls Police Department 24 years in Law Enforcement "Working at the jail has given me more confidence in myself when dealing with difficult people and situations."
Sergeant Kaiser, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office 8 years in Law Enforcement "In 2015 I started my career with Minnehaha County at the jail as a Corrections Officer after initially applying for an open Deputy position.  At that time, I was apprehensive about becoming a Corrections Officer. The position seemed unappealing as one might think due to the idea of working in a jail and what that might entail. I had no prior experience in law enforcement though and saw it as an opportunity to attain that experience.  After speaking with some of the administrative personnel about career opportunities within corrections and asking some questions about the position, I ultimately accepted the position with an understanding that I could build knowledge in the field and have a plethora of options to further my future career.
I proceeded to work as a Corrections Officer over the course of the next year and a half before applying and earning a promotion to Patrol Deputy. During that year and a half, I gained knowledge about how the Jail operates as well as the value teamwork and interpersonal communication skills which I utilize on patrol on a daily basis.  My experience working at the Jail provided me with the ability to build relationships and trust with my coworkers in a way unlike any career field I had been in prior. 
I firmly believe that I would not be where I am today without accepting the Corrections position and I find myself fortunate to have worked alongside the exemplary officers working there as well as under the supervision and leadership that guided us.  Based on where I have ended up in my career as well as friends and colleagues that have worked for the Minnehaha County Jail, I see the Corrections Officer position as a testament to the quality of officers they hire and shape for this community, the opportunities that are available within the jail for career advancement, and the ability to utilize those opportunities to serve in other communities as well."
TAKE A TOUR TO SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE! Want to see the Jail for yourself?  We will give you a personal tour where you can watch our Correctional Officers in action!  You'll see how our staff work together as a team to help keep our operation running smoothly, efficiently, and safely.  Give us a call at to get scheduled for a tour today!
Watch the video below and find out what actual employees have to say about working in our Jail and find out what a rewarding career as a Correctional Officer has to offer you!
This recruitment may also be used to staff Correctional Systems Operator positions at a lower pay grade. SALARY: $25.37 - $27.98 Hourly
CLOSING DATE: 5/28/2024 5:00 PM CST
All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the date the position closes.
How You Will Make an Impact Perform inmate head counts, cell checks, and searches. Monitor, log, and supervise inmate movement, recreation, visitations, cleaning, laundry, and security checks. Receive and release inmates by completing paperwork, fingerprinting, photographing, data entry, and conducting checks for outstanding warrants, protection orders, etc. Log and manage inmate property, money, and supplies. Exercise appropriate use of force and self-defense tactics to restrain disorderly inmates and deescalate volatile situations. Operate and maintain radios, telephones, and other communication equipment. Operate doors and intercoms and perform security checks of the perimeter, buildings, and grounds. Answer phones and assist callers with questions and concerns. Answer inmate questions and concerns and assist inmates with paperwork as necessary. Prepare and complete reports.
What You Need to Succeed in this Role High school diploma or GED and one year of relevant work experience. Comparable combination of education and work experience may be considered. Must pass a written examination. Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a safe driving record with Minnehaha County. Must successfully complete pre-employment background process. Ability to make appropriate decisions quickly and with tact and impartiality. Ability to learn and apply the policies and procedures of law enforcement operations. Must maintain ability to be a credible witness in court. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public. Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
Though not required to be considered for a position, an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field, experience working in corrections, and knowledge of legal terminology is a plus.
Why live and work in Sioux Falls? Check out Niche.com's  Report Card on Sioux Falls .  Final Grade for Sioux Falls:  "A"! Smart Asset has ranked Sioux Falls the  Best City for Young Professionals the last four years running! Liveability's  Top 100 Best Place to Live puts Sioux Falls at an impressive #20! In 2019, Sioux Falls ranked No. 1 on Forbes'  Best Small Cities for Business and Careers ! Sioux Falls / Minnehaha County has many thriving communities and is home to major medical facilities, a variety of cultural centers, and many beautiful lakes and parks with walking and biking paths.  Check out  some of the great things to do in our are a through our Convention and Visitor's Bureau website!
EEO Statement Minnehaha County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sex or gender including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital status, age, disability, veteran's status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.  Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting Human Resources at .