Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Agent I & II

How to become a South Dakota DCI Special Agent

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is hiring and looking for motivated, professional individuals who are ready to make the commitment to make South Dakota a safer place. We provide the training and support to allow individuals the opportunity to make a difference every day in an organization that is unlike any other in our state. For over 75 years, the DCI has been the employer of highly dedicated individuals who serve the state by finding solutions and solving major crimes. In this hands-on and fast paced environment, we focus on teamwork, building relationships and putting people first.

Flexible schedules, benefits and opportunities for advancement provide motivation to our people. Access to advanced training, tools and technology will allow you to succeed. This rewarding and amazing career choice might be for you, so make your break from the cubicle and start your own exciting adventure! Apply to DCI for a position as a special agent and join our elite team!

Step 1:
Complete and submit Electronic Employment Application.
Job ID 23656
Location: Statewide
Close Date: Open Until Filled.
READ SUBSEQUENT STEPS CAREFULLY TO ENSURE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
Step 2:
Submit along with your application in PDF or Word Document file format a type-written response to the below essay prompt:
In 300 words or less, describe a time you used communication skills to solve a particular problem. Provide details regarding the nature of the problem and how you specifically solved the problem. Acceptable responses must be grammatically correct, in paragraph format, clear, effective, professional, and communicative.
Step 3:
Read, print, sign, and return the Authorization and Release form (this can be attached to your electronic application).
Step 4:
Attach a resume or curriculum vitae (required). A cover letter explaining why you would be an ideal fit for our agency is optional, though encouraged, to be attached to your electronic application.
Step 5:
After receipt of your application, the Division of Criminal Investigation will notify applicants who have been selected to move forward in the hiring process. Applicants who are advanced in the process will be invited to attend an interview with Division of Criminal Investigation staff.

Review physical requirements below and minimum qualifications (Special Agent I or Special Agent II). Applicants who are competitive and advanced in the process will be required to meet physical fitness requirements prior to hire.

Selected applicants can expect to report to Pierre, South Dakota at a later date to complete the following:

  1. South Dakota Law Enforcement written test (required for all applicants who are not law enforcement certified.) Applicants must achieve a passing score of 70%, or have a test score on file of at least 70%.
  2. Oral interviews.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the Law Enforcement Civil Service Commission with regard to education, experience, physical condition, and other factors related to the performance of the duties of the position.

The requirements include:

  • Possession of 20/20 binocular vision with or without corrective lenses. Color, depth perception, and field of view must be normal as determined by an optometric examination.
  • Using the average of readings at 500, 1000, and 3000 Hz, hearing shall be a frequency no worse than 25 decibels in each ear, uncorrected;
  • Applicant shall be free of any chronic disease or organic or functional defect that would impair performance of law enforcement duties, as determined by a medical examination;
  • Applicant shall be capable of passing physical agility tests, including flexibility, push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and one and one-half mile run, using the standards established by the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice as of March, 1997.
Final candidates will be required to pass a polygraph test, a psychological evaluation, and a drug screening test before appointment.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
500 East Capitol Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Fax: 605.773.4344
Agency: Office of the Attorney General; Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Veterans' Preference Eligible

Special agents conduct investigations independently or in conjunction with municipal, county, or other law enforcement personnel to gather all necessary evidence to ensure the apprehension and conviction of suspected felons. Applicants must be willing to travel and work irregular hours.

Minimum Qualifications for Filing: This position requires a completed bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of related education and experience. In lieu of a completed bachelor's degree, law enforcement experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Applicants not meeting the following requirements will be disqualified from competing for this position:

  • Applicants shall not have a felony conviction;
  • Applicants must be a United States citizen;
  • Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment;
  • Applicants must possess or have the ability to obtain a South Dakota driver’s license.
Agency: Office of the Attorney General; Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Veterans' Preference Eligible

Conducts investigations independently or in conjunction with municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agencies pursuing, gathering, and analyzing evidence, and preparing case reports to ensure the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of suspected felons. Applicants must be willing to travel and work irregular hours.
This position is open to applicants who are law enforcement certified and have at least two years of investigative experience. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will be disqualified from the selection process.

Minimum Qualifications for Filing: This position requires a completed bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of related education and experience. In lieu of a completed bachelor's degree, law enforcement experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Applicants must be a certified officer with at least two years of investigative experience. Applicants must provide specific duties while involved in criminal investigation work experience with dates (month/year to month/year). Applicants not meeting the following requirements will be disqualified from competing for this position:

  • Applicants shall not have a felony conviction;
  • Applicants must be a United States citizen;
  • Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment;
  • Applicants must possess or have the ability to obtain a South Dakota driver’s license.

Physical Fitness Test

Push-ups.

To complete the push-up agility test, the eligible applicant must lie face down with hands placed next to his or her shoulders and push his or her entire body, including legs, off the floor until his or her arms are straight. This is the starting position for performing push-ups. A partner shall place his or her fist on the floor below the eligible applicant’s chest. Keeping his or her back straight at all times, the eligible applicant shall lower him or herself from the starting position until his or her chest touches his or her partner’s fist. The eligible applicant shall push back up to the starting position and repeat as many times as possible. There is no time limit. The partner shall cease counting with the first incomplete push-up. The examiner shall rate the eligible applicant’s push-up ability according to the following chart:

Fitness Category 20 - 29 yrs 30 - 39 yrs 40 - 49 yrs 50 - 59 yrs
Acceptable 20+ 17 - 22 13 - 17 11 - 15
Unacceptable 0 - 19 0 - 16 0 - 12 0 - 10

Source: 19 SDR 9, effective July 30, 1992.
General Authority: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.
Law Implemented: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.

Sit-ups.

The sit-up test is a measure of muscular endurance or the ability to contract musculature repetitively over a period of time. The eligible applicant shall start by lying on his or her back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, arms crossed on the chest with hands touching opposite shoulders. A partner shall hold the feet down. From the lying position, the eligible applicant must come to a sitting position, touch the leg below the knee with his or her elbows, and then return to a lying position with the lower back touching the ground. The eligible applicant must not rebound, but allow the lower back to fully relax before beginning the next repetition. The eligible applicant shall perform as many correct sit-ups as possible within a one-minute time limit. The examiner shall rate the eligible applicant’s sit-up ability according to the following chart:

Fitness Category 20 - 29 yrs 30 - 39 yrs 40 - 49 yrs 50 - 59 yrs
Acceptable 35+ 29 - 33 19 - 25 15 - 22
Unacceptable 0 - 34 0 - 28 0 - 18 0 - 14

Source: 19 SDR 9, effective July 30, 1992.
General Authority: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.
Law Implemented: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.

Vertical jump.

The vertical jump measures the ability to summon up a burst of muscular power. The eligible applicant must make a mark as high as he or she can reach on a wall, keeping his or her heels on the ground. Then the applicant must jump as high as he or she can, crouching down first and swinging his or her arm up to carry them higher, making another mark as far up on the wall as possible. The number of inches between the two marks is the jump height. The examiner shall rate the eligible applicant’s vertical jump ability according to the following chart:

Fitness Category 20 - 29 yrs 30 - 39 yrs 40 - 49 yrs 50 - 59 yrs
Acceptable 17 ½+ 16 ½ - 19 ½ 15 – 18 ½ 13 – 17 ½
Unacceptable 0 – 17 0 – 16 0 – 14 ½ 0 – 12 ½

Source: 19 SDR 9, effective July 30, 1992.
General Authority: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.
Law Implemented: SDCL 3-7-9, 3-7-18.

One and one-half mile run.

The eligible applicant may cover the 1.5 mile run course at his or her own pace and as his or her condition allows. This test is designed to measure endurance. The examiner shall rate the eligible applicant’s endurance according to the following chart:

Fitness Category 20 - 29 yrs 30 - 39 yrs 40 - 49 yrs 50 - 59 yrs
Acceptable 12:01 – 14:30 13:01 – 15:30 14:01 – 16:30 15:01 – 17:30
Unacceptable 14:31+ 15:31+ 16:31+ 17:31+