Correctional Officer

This is a full-time position with the Department of Corrections. For more information on the Department of Corrections, please visit the official website.

• Maintains custody of women in the Women's Prison by enforcing institutional operations memoranda and procedures to ensure the safety and security of the inmates and employees and that confinement conditions are maintained.
• Officers are assigned a specific post in an area such as a control room, cell hall, visit room, or recreational area.
• Common duties in most posts include observing inmates in cell halls, recreation areas, dining halls, school, health services and shower rooms; supervising inmates by assigning duties and monitoring work; preparing reports of incidents and rule infractions; conducting inmate counts and maintaining log books; escorting and transporting inmates to and from inside and outside appointments; inspecting and searching cells, common areas, inmates and visitors; monitoring and controlling gates and cell doors; and responding to crisis situations.

• With or without reasonable accommodation successfully pass all modules of the South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics and firearms/armed transport curriculum;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics;
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• Use arms, palms of hands, and feet to deliver blows;
• Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment;
• Must be able to see and hear in order 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 to prevent injury;
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently;
• Must be able to work 12 hour rotating shifts to include holidays and weekends;
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations;
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner;
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders;
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments;
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings;
• Willing and able to travel;
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire;
• We train new officers in everything they will need to know; no prior education or experience is necessary. Officers are eligible for Class B retirement with 8% matching contributions. Uniforms are provided.

Correctional Officers at the Women's Prison work 12-hour shifts (5:50 a.m. - 6 p.m. or 5:50 p.m. - 6 a.m.) and will work every other weekend along with some holidays.

As part of the application process, applicants will take a Correctional Officer suitability assessment. The assessment is web-based (can be taken on any device with web access) and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Applicants will be required to answer a series of job-related questions when submitting an application for this job.

• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to make sound decisions; think clearly and logically and respond quickly during emergencies; perform tasks with constant physical and mental alertness; identify problems and assess incidents or situations in a logical and methodical way; observe and recall inmate behavior, surroundings, and events; perform tasks with an inquisitive mind; work cooperatively with others as part of a team; maintain focus and remain positive and composed during crisis; recognize the relative importance of multiple tasks; to observe and hear inmates; endure prolonged periods of time standing, walking, and climbing stairs; operate two-way radios, firearms, and restraining devices; exercise tact and discretion in dealing with others; communicate information clearly and concisely.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class B retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=7Z

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"