Correctional Officers

• GREAT WAGES! Hiring range is $27.57/hr - $30.40/hr with a full earning potential up to $40.85/hr PLUS regular opportunities for pay increases. New officers will receive up to 5% increases in pay after the 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd year IN ADDITION to annual increases.
• RETENTION BONUS! Stay and grow your career with us! Newly hired Juvenile Correctional Officers may qualify for $1,000 retention bonuses at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months of service by maintaining good performance and meeting program eligibility requirements.
• 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 Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Animal Control, Fire Rescue, DCI Agent, Juvenile Case Agent, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Parole Officer, Probation Officer, and more.
• NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL! $1.00/hr night shift differential.
• STRONG STAFFING LEVELS! We take a proactive approach to staffing so our 160+ 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! 11 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training. Small training classes mean all new officers get personal, 1:1 training. 
  • JUST ADDED! Classroom training has been extended by one full week with the addition of Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). This specialized, 40-hour law-enforcement training equips COs with effective de-escalation techniques to safely and professionally managing individuals experiencing mental health crises. 
  • CERTIFICATIONS! Upon successful completion of the training program, Officers earn certifications in: Crisis Intervention Training, CPR & First Aid, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Terminal Operator, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Pepper Spray, Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS), and Defensive Tactics - Law Enforcement Krav Maga. Possible certifications COs may earn in the future include PepperBall, Pistol, and Taser 10.  
• EMPHASIS ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING! Annual mental health visits are provided to officers to confidentially discuss concerns or issues with a professional. Additional sessions are offered by the County for officers and family members along with access to financial resources, legal advisors, work and lifestyle support, and educational resources. The Jail has an onsite workout facility, and the County also offers gym reimbursement, wellness challenges, and health and fitness education throughout the year.
• 12 HOUR SHIFTS! Work 15 shifts a month and have Fri/Sat/Sun off every other week. Year-long rotations provide 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 and become South Dakota Certified Law Enforcement Officers in our Patrol Division.
• COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS! Generous PTO, Extended Sick Leave, Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, and Retirement through state pension plan - that means lifetime income provided THROUGHOUT retirement! 

This position places you at the heart of public safety, where your awareness, professionalism, and calm decision-making help protect the well-being of inmates, staff, and the entire community. You’ll make an impact by:

• Keeping the facility safe, secure, and running smoothly by conducting inmate head counts, wellness checks, cell inspections, and regular security rounds throughout the jail and perimeter.

• Being the steady presence during high-pressure moments by responding to emergencies, applying crisis-intervention techniques, and de-escalating mental-health situations with skill and compassion.

• Guiding inmates through the justice system with professionalism, overseeing intake and release processes, fingerprinting and photographing, property management, and ensuring all documentation is accurate and secure.

• Maintaining order and structure every day by supervising recreation, meals, medication distribution, visitations, and inmate movement, helping keep operations safe and secure.

• Serving as a trusted link between agencies, courts, and the jail, conducting NCIC checks, managing warrants and protection orders, and supporting inmates as they access programs and services.

• Ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes by handling communications equipment, logging movement and activity, distributing mail and supplies, and keeping detailed records that maintain accountability across shifts.

• Contributing to a secure, respectful environment where inmates, staff, and the public feel protected, heard, and supported thereby strengthening trust in the local justice system every day.