Parole Officer Careers in South Dakota

Adult parole services in the state of South Dakota operate under the South Dakota Department of Corrections, which is also responsible for monitoring the jail system in the state. In total, there are 11 parole district offices located in the state, which are located in the following areas:

  • Aberdeen Parole Services
  • Sioux Falls Parole Services
  • Brookings Parole Services
  • Spearfish Parole Services
  • Huron Parole Services
  • Watertown Parole Services
  • Mitchell Parole Services
  • Yankton Parole Services
  • Pierre Parole Services
  • The Executive Director’s Office (Sioux Falls)

Basic Requirements for South Dakota Parole Officer Jobs

When considering a job with as a South Dakota parole officer, there are a series of basic requirements a person must meet, including the following:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be a United States citizen
  • Must be willing to relocate to any division office in the state
  • Must have a valid driver’s license
  • Must be licensed to carry a firearm
  • Must be fluent in English

While the only educational requirement is a high school diploma or GED, applicants with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work or a related field will get preferential treatment during the application process. Also, applicants with related work experience will also receive preferential treatment during the application process.

Parole Officer Positions in South Dakota

The state of South Dakota officers three different positions within the parole services area of the Department of Corrections. The positions are the following:

  • Transitional Case Manager: This position is responsible for supervising the transition of inmates from jail to the outside world.
  • Parole Agent: These agents are responsible for checking in with parolees and making sure they are adjusting to life outside of prison in an effective manner.
  • Parole Agent Supervisor: This position is responsible for supervising the parole agents and addressing any issues that may arise.

Applying and Taking the Civil Service Exam

Once an application is completed, the next step in the process is the completion of the Civil Service Exam, which is a requirement of any person applying for a job with the state government. The Civil Service Exam is a comprehensive written exam that measures an applicant’s ability to work with the public and maintain the standards of the state and federal government.

Training Academy

Before entering parole officer careers in South Dakota, an applicant must first consider how to become a parole officer in South Dakota through training. The training academy is an extensive set of courses that teach applicants how to deal with the public, public safety, defensive tactics, communication skills, paperwork and administrative duties, CPR training, First Aid, time management, criminal psychology, local justice systems and relationship management, among many other courses. Parole officers in the state of South Dakota are required to attend a 28-hour orientation during the first year of employment, as well as 16 hours of additional training each year after that.

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