Correctional Officer

Salary: $25.60 - $30.00 per hour, depending on experience. This is a full-time position with the Department of Corrections.

About the role

Maintains security by enforcing DOC policies and institutional post orders to ensure the safety and security of offenders and employees and that confinement conditions are maintained. Service as a correctional officer is an excellent way to begin a law enforcement career and to gain supervisory experience. New officers receive comprehensive training in all aspects required of the job; no prior education or experience is necessary.

Officers are eligible for Class B retirement with 8% matching contributions. Uniforms are provided.

Schedule

• 12-hour shifts, including weekdays and weekends
• Rotating shift schedule (days, afternoons, nights)
• Required to work every other weekend and some holidays

Conditions of Employment

With or without reasonable accommodations, candidates must successfully pass all modules of the South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, including:

• English reading comprehension and relevant competency assessments
• Written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics and firearms/armed transport curriculum
• Physical ability to:
  • Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
  • Stabilize another person for a controlled take-down
  • Use arms, palms of hands, and feet to deliver blows
  • Withstand impact on the body from strikes/blows
  • Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking or defensive tactics
  • Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions
• Exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray) during training and on assignment
• Ability to see and hear to observe, address, and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Seize, hold, control, or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others
• Demonstrate body agility, strength in all four limbs, and consistent ability to walk and climb stairs
• Work in environments involving:
  • Assaultive behavior and physical control/restraint situations
  • Individuals with a range of moods and behaviors
  • Diverse populations, including those who are mentally ill or emotionally disturbed
  • Fluctuating noise and temperature (hot/cold), including outdoor work in inclement weather
  • Concrete floor/wall settings
• Willingness and ability to travel and work various shifts
• TB (tuberculosis) screening required upon hire

Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• Valid Driver’s License
• High school diploma or GED
• Successful completion of an abuse and neglect screening (may be required)
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ability to:
  • Communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
  • Apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry
  • Participate in the criminal justice system regarding treatment of inmates, including knowledge of state statutes, ADA, PREA, and department policies
  • Visually observe and audibly hear to identify changes, hazards, or security breaches and communicate pertinent information
  • Monitor inmate whereabouts and maintain accurate counts
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with offenders, families, and the public
  • Perform intermediate computer keyboarding and use email
  • Document events in a written, comprehensive, and legible manner
  • Incorporate the South Dakota DOC Mission statement into daily duties
  • Control, direct, and instruct offenders individually and in groups
  • Remain alert and observant throughout shifts
  • Conduct various searches (general area, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip, or vehicle)
  • Use fingers to detect object attributes (size, shape, texture) during searches and manipulate security equipment
  • Safely operate and monitor mechanical doors
  • Learn to use firearms, restraints, chemical agents, and tasers safely and professionally
  • Operate communications equipment (e.g., two-way radio, telephone, public address equipment)
  • Follow chain of command and established safety/security protocols
  • Respond quickly to emergencies (fights, medical emergencies, fires, escapes)
  • Use physical force to control situations
  • Climb stairs and walk on hard surfaces throughout shifts
  • Interpret and apply department policies and institutional post orders

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas
• Manning an armed post (requires annual firearms certification)
• Monitoring the facility perimeter
• Maintaining a controlled movement schedule for offenders
• Escorting and transporting offenders in authorized state vehicles while armed
• Monitoring visiting areas
• Conducting formal, informal, and emergency counts
• Conducting searches per policy
• Inspecting facility and cells to maintain health, safety, and sanitation standards
• Inspecting inmate mail
• Utilizing proper protocols when responding to emergency situations
• Following established tool and key control, ensuring proper storage and documentation
• Attending shift briefings
• Documenting incidents using established reporting practices
• Communicating pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option
• Eleven paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual
• Dental and vision insurance options
• Retirement benefits (Class B retirement under SDRS)

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. Applicants will be required to answer job-related questions during the application process. Successful candidates will undergo a background investigation, drug screening, and must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees.