Correctional Officer - Adult

Pennington County; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennington County Sheriff’s Office seeks a Correctional Officer 1 to manage inmate custody with professionalism in a high-stress environment. You will conduct rounds, enforce rules, and support secure housing operations while documenting incidents and complying with procedures.

The role requires a 120-hour academy, 240-hour on-the-job training, OC spray and taser certification, and a valid SD driver’s license within 90 days. Evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are included.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 20 years old at time of offer.
• Complete in-house 120-hour academy training program.
• Complete 240-hour Correctional Officer on-the-job training.
• OC spray certification and taser training required.
• No felony convictions.
• Must pass minimum hiring assessments (physical agility, written exam, background, medical and psychological exams).
• Must possess or obtain SD Driver’s License within 90 days of moving to SD.
• Sheriff may waive any above requirements at discretion.

Responsibilities

• Perform security rounds and document incidents, movement and discipline.
• Maintain a safe, secure cell block environment fostering respect.
• Determine disciplinary actions and enforce with inmates/detainees.
• Initiate and monitor inmate movement and restrain when necessary.
• Classify inmates to housing units and security levels.
• Respond to inmate mental health concerns and assess risk factors.
• Read and process legal and non-legal documents.
• Communicate effectively with the public, staff, inmates and in court settings.
• Attend shift briefings, trainings and department meetings.
• Perform related duties and maintain county policy compliance.

Skills

Communication

Court testimony readiness

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Objective:

The Correctional Officer 1 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.