Correctional Officer
State of South Dakota, Springfield, SD, United States
Agency: Department of Corrections – Mike Durfee State Prison; Location: Springfield; Salary: $25.50 – $30.00 per hour, depending on experience; Pay Grade: GG; Closing Date: Open Until Filled
This is a Full‑Time position with the South Dakota Department of Corrections.
This 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 are trained 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.
Correctional officers must be able to work all shifts. Weekday and weekend shifts are twelve (12) hours. Officers are required to work every other weekend along with some holidays.
Responsibilities
Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas.
Mann an armed post (requires annual firearms certification).
Monitor facility perimeter.
Maintain a controlled movement schedule for offenders.
Escort and transport offenders in authorized state vehicles, while armed.
Monitor visiting areas.
Conduct formal, informal and emergency counts.
Conduct searches per policy.
Inspect facility and cells to maintain health, safety and sanitation standards.
Inspect inmate mail.
Utilize proper protocols when responding to emergency situations.
Follow established tool and key control, ensuring proper storage and documentation.
Attend shift briefings.
Document incidents utilizing established reporting practices.
Communicate pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.
Qualifications
Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid Driver’s License.
High school diploma or GED.
Successful applicants may have to undergo an abuse and neglect screening.
Pass all modules of the South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics and firearms/armed transport curriculum.
Possess the physical ability to 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 from strikes, 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.
Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and while on assignment.
Be able 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 to prevent injury.
Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
Must be able to work rotating 12‑hour shifts, including 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), including outdoor inclement weather and concrete floor/wall settings.
Willing and able to travel.
Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) with rotating schedule.
Tuberculosis screening required upon hire.
Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English, apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry, participate in criminal justice systems regarding treatment of inmates and/or incarcerated individuals, including state statutes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and departmental regulations, policies, guidelines.
Visually observe and audibly hear to identify changes, hazards or potential security breaches and verbally communicate pertinent information.
Monitor inmate whereabouts and maintain accurate count.
Perform intermediate computer keyboarding, communicate via email.
Study information and recount events in a written, comprehensive manner.
Incorporate South Dakota DOC mission statement.
Respectfully communicate with offender families and the public.
Control, direct, instruct offenders individually and in groups.
Remain alert and observant throughout shift.
Conduct searches (general area, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip or vehicle).
Use fingers to detect attributes of objects.
Safely operate and monitor ingress and egress mechanical doors.
Learn about and utilize firearms, restraints, chemical agents, and tasers in a safe and professional manner.
Learn to operate communications equipment.
Follow chain of command and established safety protocols.
Quickly respond to emergencies (fights, medical emergencies, fires or escapes).
Use physical force to control a situation.
Climb stairs and walk on hard surfaces.
Interpret and apply department policies and institutional post orders and procedures.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.
Benefits
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.
Retirement benefits: Class B retirement under SDRS with 8% matching contributions.
Veterans’ Preference recognized per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This is a Full‑Time position with the South Dakota Department of Corrections.
This 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 are trained 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.
Correctional officers must be able to work all shifts. Weekday and weekend shifts are twelve (12) hours. Officers are required to work every other weekend along with some holidays.
Responsibilities
Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas.
Mann an armed post (requires annual firearms certification).
Monitor facility perimeter.
Maintain a controlled movement schedule for offenders.
Escort and transport offenders in authorized state vehicles, while armed.
Monitor visiting areas.
Conduct formal, informal and emergency counts.
Conduct searches per policy.
Inspect facility and cells to maintain health, safety and sanitation standards.
Inspect inmate mail.
Utilize proper protocols when responding to emergency situations.
Follow established tool and key control, ensuring proper storage and documentation.
Attend shift briefings.
Document incidents utilizing established reporting practices.
Communicate pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.
Qualifications
Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid Driver’s License.
High school diploma or GED.
Successful applicants may have to undergo an abuse and neglect screening.
Pass all modules of the South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics and firearms/armed transport curriculum.
Possess the physical ability to 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 from strikes, 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.
Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and while on assignment.
Be able 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 to prevent injury.
Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
Must be able to work rotating 12‑hour shifts, including 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), including outdoor inclement weather and concrete floor/wall settings.
Willing and able to travel.
Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) with rotating schedule.
Tuberculosis screening required upon hire.
Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English, apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry, participate in criminal justice systems regarding treatment of inmates and/or incarcerated individuals, including state statutes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and departmental regulations, policies, guidelines.
Visually observe and audibly hear to identify changes, hazards or potential security breaches and verbally communicate pertinent information.
Monitor inmate whereabouts and maintain accurate count.
Perform intermediate computer keyboarding, communicate via email.
Study information and recount events in a written, comprehensive manner.
Incorporate South Dakota DOC mission statement.
Respectfully communicate with offender families and the public.
Control, direct, instruct offenders individually and in groups.
Remain alert and observant throughout shift.
Conduct searches (general area, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip or vehicle).
Use fingers to detect attributes of objects.
Safely operate and monitor ingress and egress mechanical doors.
Learn about and utilize firearms, restraints, chemical agents, and tasers in a safe and professional manner.
Learn to operate communications equipment.
Follow chain of command and established safety protocols.
Quickly respond to emergencies (fights, medical emergencies, fires or escapes).
Use physical force to control a situation.
Climb stairs and walk on hard surfaces.
Interpret and apply department policies and institutional post orders and procedures.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.
Benefits
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.
Retirement benefits: Class B retirement under SDRS with 8% matching contributions.
Veterans’ Preference recognized per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr