Correctional Officer

There are no specific education or experience requirements. Although education or experience in law enforcement or criminal justice is very beneficial, new officers are trained in most of the skills they will need to do the job. However, to be considered for a position, applicants must possess certain basic skills, including the ability to:

Observe and recall surroundings and events
Communicate information clearly, concisely, and accurately
Read, write, understand, and apply written instructions in English
Count accurately and transcribe count data on paper
Maintain focus and remain positive and composed during a crisis
Make sound decisions

Officers need the ability to:

Differentiate sounds to understand verbal directives and respond to audio signals
See close and distant objects and differentiate colors
Perform duties in enclosed and confined spaces
Endure prolonged periods of time standing, walking, and climbing stairs
Perform duties in environmental extremes
Respond to emergencies quickly, climb stairs, and use physical force to subdue violent or resisting inmates
Undergo training to operate firearms, two-way radios, restraining devices, and OC spray.
Perform tasks with constant physical and mental alertness

Yes. You must be at least 18 years old and any offer of employment is conditional upon passing a drug screening test and a pre-employment physical before you begin training. Also, a criminal background investigation will be conducted before a job offer is made. An arrest/conviction will not necessarily bar employment. All felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence or drug use may prohibit you from working at the facilities.

We are looking for individuals who are confident, assertive, independent, and act professionally. Also, officers must use good judgment, react skillfully and maintain composure in emergency situations, maintain constant awareness of their surroundings, work cooperatively with others as part of a team, be motivated and follow-though with work assignments, and communicate effectively. Physical size and gender have nothing to do with whether an individual will be an effective officer.

We hire those individuals that best meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for successful performance of the duties of a Correctional Officer. We have a limited number of positions to fill based on current and expected vacancies and can only select the individuals that best suit our needs.

Yes, it is possible, but depends upon the specific circumstances. You will be asked about your relationship during the interview.

Each officer is assigned a post, or a specific job. Common duties in most posts include observing, supervising, and accounting for assigned inmates; maintaining logs, preparing reports, and making written records of incidents and rule infractions; escorting and transporting inmates; inspecting and searching cells, inmates, and visitors; and responding to crisis situations which may require running and climbing stairs. Officers operate specialized equipment such as two-way radios and firearms.

We have a wide variety of posts in various areas such as control rooms, cell halls, visit rooms, guard towers, and the recreation facilities. Posts are usually permanent until you apply for a new one. We announce vacant posts weekly to consider staff requests to move to a new shift or post within the facilities. Requests to transfer to other correctional facilities in the state are also considered.

The schedule is 12 hours with rotating days and every other weekend off. In 14 days an officer may work 7 days with a maximum of 3 scheduled days in a row with 3 days weekends.

The shift a new officer is put in depends on what is currently available. Initially, most Correctional Officers are hired into our overnight shift (5:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.). Occasionally, new officers may be needed for our day shifts (8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.). Shifts are typically 12 hours with limited 8 hour posts. Correctional Officers do not rotate shifts, once you are in a shift, you will stay in that shift until you post out.

During the interview, you will be asked for preferences and would be assigned to currently vacant posts, with consideration given to your preferences.

This depends on vacancies, seniority of other staff, and your ability to fill the post. No guarantees can be made, but historically new officers have been able to transfer to a day shift within one year.

We only hire for full-time positions (typically 40 hours/week). After six months, we may consider allowing an officer to work part-time under special circumstances. Officers are occasionally needed to work over-time, but it is not required. Hours physically worked over 80 hours within two weeks are paid at time and one half.

No. However, prior experience in corrections or law enforcement is beneficial.

Yes. You will receive four weeks of classroom training where you will learn the policies and procedures of the institution and various skills, such as the use of restraining devices, cell entry procedures, and shakedowns. There are four weeks of mentorship following Pre-service training.

Yes. Training for the first four weeks is from 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday. Training is held on-site at most of our correctional facilities.

Yes. You will be required to complete a probationary period of six months. During this period you can be terminated for any reason if we do not feel that the job is right for you. After successful completion of this period, you will become a Civil Service employee.

Historically, we have had relatively few injuries on the job. We take every precaution to make our facility a safe place to work. However, as with all public safety positions, there is potential for serious injury.

Some posts, such as control rooms, typically involve minimal inmate contact. Officers that work in the cell halls or in the recreation yard work next to a large number of inmates throughout the day.

Typically, officers assigned to towers, roving patrol, and transports carry weapons. Officers that work inside the prison do not carry any weapons, but may be required to be armed on an occasional basis as needed. All officers are thoroughly trained on how to use our weapons.

All officers start out at $25.00/hour, regardless of their qualifications. You will also receive an additional $2.00/hour for working night shift hours (5:30pm to 6:00am)and $1.00/hour for hours worked on the weekend. In addition, the legislature annually determines whether to award a pay increase to state employees.

Bi-monthly, on the 1st and 16th of each month.

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Application Process

Go to the Bureau of Human Resources Jobs Page: www.bhr.sd.gov/workforus. Click on “All Open Positions” on the right side of the page.
Under the search option “Agency” select “Corrections” and then click “Search.” All Correctional Officer job openings can be found on that page.

Your submitted application will be sent to the Human Resources Recruiter at the facility to be reviewed. You will be contacted by the Human Resources Recruiter to set up a testing date for the position. Feel free to contact Human Resources at any time regarding the status of your application.

Our application process consists of several steps.

All applicants are first required to pass a written aptitude test.
Interviews are scheduled after the applicant has successfully completed the written aptitude test.
After the interview, the Human Resources office will:
- contact any references provided.
- complete a background check.

Once all of these steps are complete, the applicant will be notified of a hiring decision.

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Organization Structure

: Unit Coordinators, Case Managers, Unit Managers, Teachers, Building Maintenance, and Prison Shop Foremen (garment, printing/bookbindery, upholstery, carpentry, and machine shop). There are numerous opportunities at other Department of Corrections agencies, such as Parole Agent, Wellness Instructor, Juvenile Corrections Agent, Youth Supervisor, and Youth Counselor.
: The Warden is responsible for the entire facility. The Associate Warden, reports directly to the Warden and is responsible for the security of the institution. There are also Majors, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals, and correctional officers.

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UNIFORMS, MEALS, GROOMING, ETC.

Yes, you will receive uniforms during training. You may trade in uniform items that need replacement. You will need to provide your own shoes or boots, which must be black in color. You will receive money annually to help defray the cost of replacing your footwear.

A male officer’s hair cannot extend past the top of the shirt collar and must be groomed in a way that it does not touch the eyebrows. Male officers may have facial hair with the following restrictions: facial hair must be kept trimmed, neat, and not exceed ¼ of an inch in length, sideburns cannot extend below the bottom of the ear, and mustaches cannot extend below the corners of the mouth.

Male and female officers may not have visible body piercings, body rings, or studs, including spacers, while on duty. One exception—females may wear one stud-type earring in each ear.

South Dakota State Penitentiary, 1600 North Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57117
South Dakota Women's Prison, 3200 East Highway 34, Pierre, SD 57501
Mike Durfee State Prison, 1412 Wood Street, Springfield, SD 57062
Yankton Community Work Center, 178 Mickelson Drive, Yankton, SD 57078
Rapid City Community Work Center, 2725 Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD 57703

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Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Retirement Plan:: The state matches your contribution of 8% of salary to the retirement plan, which is immediately portable to other retirement plans and you are fully vested at three years. This is a defined benefit plan, designed to replace 40%-60% of a career employee’s pay at retirement. Visit http://www.sdrs.sd.gov for more information.
Supplemental Retirement Plan:: Similar to a “401K plan,” you may contribute tax-free dollars to a retirement savings account and pay no taxes on your investment earnings until withdrawal.

Paid Time-off

Vacation Leave:: You receive 3 weeks of paid vacation leave each year, increasing to 4 weeks after 15 years of service. New employees are now allowed to use accrued vacation leave immediately, subject to supervisor approval. New employees no longer need to wait six months to use accrued vacation leave. However, employees are still not eligible for payout of accrued vacation if they leave employment before completing six months of service.
Holiday Pay:: The State recognizes 10 legal holidays; additional holidays may be declared by the Governor.
Sick Leave:: You will receive 14 days of sick leave per year (4.67 hours per bi-weekly pay period). There is no limit to the number of days you accrue throughout your career. You may be eligible to be paid a portion of your unused sick leave balance when you leave state government. Employees may now use sick leave for their own illness, health care, or medical needs as well as those of their immediate family, including the temporary care of family. This includes using up to five days of sick leave as bereavement leave for the loss of an immediate family member.
Military Leave:: National Guard members may be paid for up to 120 hours of leave taken for training & weekend drills.

Health–related, Life Insurance, And Disability Benefits

Paid Health Insurance:: There are two health plan choices available to employees, which include a Low Deductible Health Plan and a High Deductible Health Plan. Premiums for employees are paid by the State of South Dakota.
Dependent Health Insurance At Group Rates:: Health insurance for your family can be purchased with tax-free dollars at group rates.
Dental, Vision, Major Injury, Hospital Protection, And Disability:: You may purchase tax-free dental, vision, major injury, hospital income protection, and short-term disability insurance at group rates.
Medical And Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts:: You have the option to participate in Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for you and your eligible dependents to pay for out of pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision expenses, along with Dependent daycare expenses. Your contributions are made on a pre-tax basis.
Health Savings Account: If you elect coverage through the High Deductible Health Plan, the State of South Dakota will contribute $500 for single coverage, or $1,000 for family coverage to a Health Savings Account. You may also choose to make pre-tax contributions to your Health Savings Account through payroll deductions.
Paid Life Insurance:: You will be covered with $25,000 of term life insurance. You may purchase supplemental life insurance for up to five times your annual salary at low-cost tax-free group rates. A nominal amount of term life insurance may also be purchased to cover your dependents.
Portable Supplemental Life Insurance:: You may purchase life insurance at group rates that you can keep even after you are no longer employed with the state.
Paid Long-term Disability Insurance:: You will receive paid long-term disability insurance after you have been with the state for three years. If you are accidentally disabled while at work, you may be eligible for disability benefits immediately.
Paid Family Survivor Benefits:: Your surviving spouse and children will receive 50% or more of your salary if you die while employed with the state.
Employee Assistance Program:: The EAP is sponsored by the South Dakota State Employee Benefits Program, and provided by KEPRO Healthcare, as a free service offered to benefit eligible employees and dependents. Employees and dependents need to be benefit eligible but do not need to be enrolled in the South Dakota State Employee Health Plan to use the EAP.

Other Benefits

Longevity Pay:: You will receive annual payments rewarding longevity after seven years with the state.
Professional Liability Coverage:: You are immediately covered with liability insurance with $1million of coverage per occurrence.
Reduced Tuition At State Universities:: After one year of experience you may be eligible to have tuition expenses reduced by 50% for courses offered by state universities (subject to certain restrictions; no reductions at USDSU).

Reasons to consider a career as a Correctional Officer:

About The Correctional Facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements & Selection

Posts, Schedules & Shifts

Training

Safety

Pay