Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff Hiring Process

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office hires Correctional Officers and Sheriff Deputies throughout each year. However, the hiring process takes several weeks and contains multiple steps.

Before you apply, there are some things you should know:

Law Enforcement careers are much more complex than in previous years. Being a Correctional Officer or Deputy requires more than the simple desire to help people. The Pennington County Sheriff's Office is seeking candidates who meet the following qualifications:

Have high moral character and integrity
Exercise initiative in their work
Ability to carry a great deal of responsibility in handling difficult situations alone
Emotional maturity and the ability to remain calm in emotionally charged situations
Physically and mentally fit
Ability to adapt thinking to technological and sociological changes in today's culture
Accommodate changing shift work into their daily life

Minimum requirements for Applicants:

Age 20 for Correctional Officer
Age 21 for Deputy Sheriff
A valid South Dakota Driver's License or the ability to obtain one
No federally illegal drug use within the past year
Documents to establish identity and employment eligibility for authorization to work in the U.S.
High school diploma or GED
No felony conviction
No simple assault domestic violence conviction (deputies only)

Physical Agility Test Standards:

All Correctional Officer, Deputy, and Reserve Deputy applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment physical agility test as a component of our hiring process. Testing must be completed with our agency, we do not accept testing proctored by other agencies.

Correctional Officers - Adult and Juvenile

View our COPAT video here. There are multiple dates to choose from.

Complete one trip down and up the stairs.
Run out and back 35 feet weaving between cones set five feet apart.
Complete one trip down and up the stairs.
Push a sled weighing 140 pounds 16 feet.
Drag a sled weighing 140 pounds 16 feet.
Complete on trip down and up the stairs.
Crawl 10 feet on hands and knees.
Step over four 18 inch tall hurdles.
Run 50 yards, turn around and run 50 yards to the finish line.

View our COPAT video here.

Deputies and Reserve Deputies

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office follows the Cooper single norm standard for Deputies and Reserve Deputies. Deputy and Reserve Deputy testing times will be given to applicants who pass the initial application screening.

The single norm standards which is regardless of your age or gender, will be as follows:

1.5 Mile Run 16:30 minutes for completion
30 Sit-ups in a one-minute time
18 Push-ups in a one-minute time

If an applicant fails to complete any portion of the physical agility test, they will not be allowed to continue in the testing and are free to leave. If advanced onto the interview portion the same day, there will be opportunity to change clothes.

Interview and Conditional Offer process:

Applicants who successfully complete all three portions of the Physical Fitness exam will then continue onto a panel Interview. Depending on the number of applicants, interviews will be conducted the same week. Preference for same day interviews will be given to applicants who have traveled from out of town. If the applicant is successful in their interview, they will be given a Conditional Offer. You will be notified via email and/or phone of a Conditional Offer.

All steps in the Conditional Offer must be completed successfully before a final Unconditional Final Offer is extended. An unsatisfactory finding in any of these steps will result in the Conditional Offer being withdrawn. Any omission of employment history, criminal background, drug usage, law enforcement interaction, or family history will be grounds for immediate withdrawal of Conditional Offer.

Unconditional Final Offer of Employment:

After final completion of each step leading to a Conditional Offer, a positive outcome of the Background Investigation and final approval of the Chief Deputies, you will be given an Unconditional Final Offer of Employment with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. You will be notified by phone and/or email. Our goal is to allow at least a two weeks notice to your previous employer.