Correctional Officer

Pennington County; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennington County is seeking a dedicated Correctional Officer to oversee the care and custody of inmates and detainees. This role requires calm, professional interaction under normal and high-stress conditions, with duties spanning rounds, classification, and incident documentation.

Agents will handle movement, use of restraints per training, and mental health risk assessments while maintaining clear communication with the public, staff, and in court proceedings.

Qualifications

• High-stress, multi-task role in a correctional setting.
• Must meet physical agility, background checks and examinations.

Responsibilities

• Perform security rounds, document incidents and disciplinary actions.
• Maintain a safe cell block atmosphere and supervise inmate behavior.
• Classify inmates to housing units and security levels.
• Respond to mental health issues and assess suicide risk.
• Read and process legal and non-legal documents.
• Communicate with inmates, public, staff and in court settings.
• Attend shift briefings and required trainings.
• Perform related duties and maintain county policy compliance.

Skills

Physical agility

Stress management

Clear communication

Discretion and judgment

Court testimony

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Age 20+

In-house 120-hour academy

240-hour on-the-job training

OC spray certification

Taser certification

No felony convictions

Driver's license in SD

Job description

The Correctional Officer is responsible for the care and custody of the inmates/detainees under his or her charge. This requires close and courteous interaction with inmates/detainees under normal and potentially volatile circumstances. Correctional Officers are required to handle multiple tasks, frequently under high-stress conditions, simultaneously, while being mindful of security operations. Correctional Officers may also be asked to testify in court proceedings.

This position is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, requiring day, evening, overnight, weekend and holiday shift assignments.

Essential Functions:

• Perform security rounds during scheduled and unscheduled times. Use discretion to determine violations and unusual situations and direct the appropriate response. Document incidents, movement, rounds and inmate/detainee discipline.
• Create and maintain a safe and secure cell block/pod atmosphere conducive to respect of others.
• Determine appropriate inmate/detainee disciplinary action. Make the decision on the corrective action to be imposed, notifying and enforcing with inmate/detainee and documenting.
• Initiate and monitor inmate/detainee movement, recognizing abnormal or inappropriate behavior. Restrain unruly inmates/detainees using force and restraining devices, using maneuvers as trained.
• Determine classification of inmates/detainees to the appropriate housing unit and security level, to include review of previous behavior, criminal charges and other mitigating factors.
• Respond to inmate/detainee mental health behaviors, to include determining risk factors for mental health intervention or implementing suicide precautions.
• Read, comprehend, and process legal and non-legal documents, including medical instructions, commitment or release orders, summons, criminal statutes and other documents.
• Communicate effectively and coherently with the public, staff, inmate/detainees and in court or other formal settings with approved facility communication devices.
• Attend and participate in shift briefings, division and department meetings and required training to maintain certified status and related activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all county policies and procedures.

Education and/or Experience Required:

• HS Diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 20 years of age at the time of employment offer.
• Successful completion of the in-house 120-hour academy training program.
• Successful completion of the 240-hour Correctional Officer on-the-job training program.
• Successful completion of the oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray certification and taser are required.
• No felony convictions.
• Must meet minimum hiring assessment standards, including physical agility, written examination, criminal and character background and physical and psychological examinations.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid South Dakota Driver’s License within 90 days of moving to South Dakota.
• The Sheriff has the discretion to waive any of the above requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 100 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.
• Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, climb stairs, walk and sit.
• Ability to periodically exert high levels of energy in the form of unarmed self-defense and lifting or moving more than 100 pounds.
• Must be able to effectively communicate objectives and mediate disputes.
• Must be able to handle high levels of stress while making prompt and effective decisions.
• Ability to respond to emergent situations, including the ability to run, restrain aggressive or suicidal individuals and manipulate restraint tools.

Working Environment:

• Work is typically performed indoors in a correctional facility. This is a potentially volatile environment with high accountability.
• This position may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases or irritating chemicals.
• Work requires the use of protective devices, such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.
• This position will include close interaction with inmates/detainees.