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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 and 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 online. 
  1. Complete one trip down and up the stairs.
  2. Run out and back 35 feet weaving between cones set five feet apart.
  3. Complete one trip down and up the stairs.
  4. Push a sled weighing 140 pounds 16 feet.
  5. Drag a sled weighing 140 pounds 16 feet.
  6. Complete one trip down and up the stairs.
  7. Crawl 10 feet on hands and knees.
  8. Step over four 18 inch tall hurdles.
  9. Run 50 yards, turn around and run 50 yards to the finish line.
Deputies and Reserve Deputies
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office standard for Deputies are listed below. Testing times will be given to applicants who pass the initial application screening. 
 
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office standard, 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.