Correctional Officer - Pennington County Sheriff's Office

Are you looking for a career in Corrections, Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice? 

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office, located in Rapid City, South Dakota and the beautiful Black Hills, is accepting applications for Correctional Officers to serve in our adult jail facility. Correctional officers serve a vital role in providing a safe and secure environment for staff and inmates.
 
New hire classes start regularly!  Apply now!
 
GREAT WAGES!  Starting Pay is $25.53 PLUS regular opportunities for overtime. You could earn $60,000+ your first year!

12 HOUR SHIFTS!  Work 15 shifts a month and spend the rest of your time enjoying what you love!  Correctional Officers will work rotating 12 hour shifts to include holidays and weekends.

PAID TRAINING!  We will train you to be successful at your job! Classroom and on-the-job training that prepares you for success. This position also qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill OJT.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT & READINESS! Through the training and experience gained working at the Pennington County Jail, our Correctional Officers have gone on to work in various public safety and law enforcement roles.

GENEROUS BENEFITS PACKAGE!  
Paid Time Off: 80hrs of vacation with increased accrual rates after 4yrs of service, 11 paid holidays each year, and 96hrs of sick leave accrual each year with end of career payout options. 
Comprehensive Insurance Package: Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, AFLAC Supplemental Options, $20,000 County-paid Life Insurance with additional optional coverage  
Retirement: SDRS pension program that provides income throughout retirement with early retirement options, 8% county contribution match, fully vested after 3 years of contribution!

CONSIDER A CAREER IN PENNINGTON COUNTY CORRECTIONS! 
This is a position that requires a high level of multi-tasking skills, integrity, good physical fitness, and the ability to communicate well both written and verbally.

What this position looks like:

• Performing security rounds during scheduled and unscheduled times. 
• Creating and maintaining a cell block atmosphere conducive to respect of others. 
• Enforcing disciplinary sanctions. 
• Maintaining appropriate boundaries with inmates. 
• Initiating and monitoring inmate movement; recognize abnormal or inappropriate behavior. 
• Restraining unruly inmates using force and restraining devices using maneuvers as trained. 
• Responding to emergencies, including medical emergencies. 
• Dispensing medications as required. 
• Documenting incidents, movement, rounds and inmate discipline. 
• Performing person, property, and facility searches. 
• Read, comprehend and process legal and non-legal documents including medical instructions, commitment or release orders, summons, criminal statutes and other documents. 
• Operate department computer program; dictate and/or type reports 
• Communicate effectively and coherently with the public, staff, inmates and in court or other formal settings with approved facility communication devices. 
• Attend and participate in shift briefings, division and department meetings, required training to maintain certified status and related activities. 
• Complying with all policies and procedures of the Pennington County Jail. 
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Sheriff's Office by assuring all policies and procedures of the Pennington County Jail are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved. 
• Required to handle multiple tasks at a time 

Performing additional duties as assigned. 

Additional Information:

Physical Agility Test: This physical agility test is designed to test a person’s physical strength, muscular endurance, coordination and agility by performing basic physical tasks.
Written Exam: Candidates must pass the EMPCO written exam, which is designed to measure cognitive ability, observational skills, and mental acuity.  While passing the written exam is mandatory, it is not a guarantee of a job.
Panel Interview: The Interview panel will interview the top candidates. The panel will be made up of representatives from the Sheriff’s Office.
Background Investigation: A complete and thorough background investigation will be conducted on each candidate to whom a conditional offer of employment has been extended. The purpose of the background investigation is to assist the department in determining a candidate’s suitability for employment.
Psychological Evaluation: A qualified psychologist will conduct a complete and thorough evaluation. Each candidate will be administered a variety of psychological tests, the purpose of which will be to identify a variety of personality, emotional, and psychological characteristics, traits, qualities, attributes and tendencies.
Medical Evaluations: A complete and thorough medical evaluation will be conducted on each candidate to whom a conditional offer of employment has been extended. A licensed physician will conduct the exam. The medical exam will be conducted for the purpose of ensuring that a candidate possesses the general health status necessary to perform the essential job functions of a Law Enforcement Officer.
 
Candidates must pass all medical, physical, written, and psychological examinations. Candidates can be disqualified at any time during the hiring process at the discretion of the Chief Deputy, Human Resources Hiring Manager or The Sheriff.