Staff Development and Training Lieutenant (SDSP)

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 38076

Agency: Department of Corrections - South Dakota State Penitentiary

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Salary: $29.00 to $34.00 per hour, depending on experience

Pay Grade: GI

Closing Date: 10/29/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Corrections. For more information on the Department of Corrections, please visit http://doc.sd.gov .

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is hiring! Join the DOC - view DOC Recruitment video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3Hwg99jTg&t=9s

This Lieutenant will work with training staff to focus on the security aspects of training for all new DOC staff, contract employees, volunteers, and current employees. This person is also responsible for tracking training completion and compliance of all staff. This Lieutenant will assist in the development and provide Basic, In-Service, and Specialized training courses at South Dakota State Penitentiary and throughout the department for newly hired employees and current existing employees annually for the purpose of developing a highly professional correctional work force. This Lieutenant will perform full operating level duties requiring application and use of theory and practice by exercising initiative and understanding of training concepts in order to develop and revise curriculum, certify successful completion and monitor for compliance with established policy, standards and procedures. Develop and write curriculum by writing, researching, and updating lesson plans, training aids and participant material to implement tactical, effective, cognitive and psych motor learning techniques into a viable training design format while complying with federal/state statutes, policy, procedures, court decisions and general directives. Construct test questions utilizing various test development techniques. Assure security of test questions and maintain proper confidentiality. Have a basic understanding of learning disabilities and the needs associated. This Lieutenant will be responsible for managing new hire employees throughout the Basic Training process.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

Willingness to obtain and maintain various training credentials as part of their normally assigned job duties. Once these credentials are obtained the candidate will be expected to train employees for a minimum of one year.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience or education in training adult learners. They will also possess a strong attention to detail, be able to maintain confidentiality of testing information, staff personal information, and operational information that if shared could compromise safety and security of the institutions. The ideal candidate will have some knowledge on how to keep, analyze, compile, and tabulate data for training and for instructor credentials. The ideal candidate will have a dynamic teaching method that assists in engaging students and fostering a desire to learn. The ideal candidate will have a knowledge base of how adult learners best receive and process information. Ideal candidates will also have correctional security experience, as well as experiencing managing direct subordinates.

Knowledge Of

• Department of Correction's policies and institutional operations memoranda and procedures;
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• the attitudes, problems, and behavior of incarcerated individuals;
• the methods, procedures, and practices of controlling and supervising inmates confined to a correctional institution;
• effective use of physical force;
• adult learning preferences;
• effective communication;
• effective methods of supervision.
  
  

Ability To

• interpret and apply department policies and institution operations memoranda and procedures;
• plan, assign, and direct the work of others;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, correctional personnel, subordinate employees, and representatives of public and private agencies;
• effectively analyze situations, conduct investigations, and evaluate findings;
• remain calm during stressful situations and respond to emergencies quickly;
• maintain confidential information;
• travel to other training sites within or outside of the state to provide training, or attend trainings;
• acquire and maintain instructor credentials in various disciplines: defensive tactics firearms, less-lethal munitions, first aid/CPR and others;
• operate and direct the employment of firearms, mechanical restraints and chemical agents and control the employment of such devices by subordinates.
  
  

Conditions Of Employment

• with or without reasonable accommodation successfully pass all modules of the South Dakota Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics and firearms;
• possess the physical ability to successfully 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, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
• withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment;
• must be able to see and hear in order 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 the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently;
• must be able to work 12-hour shifts to include 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) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings;
• willing and able to travel;
• willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.
  
  

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The 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, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=54N

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"