Job Description
Job ID: 32044
Agency: Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol
Location:StatewideSalary: $30.46 per hour, plus additional $2.00 per hour night shift differential and $2.00 per hour weekend differential
Pay Grade: L03
Closing Date: 09/16/2025
The South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) offers an exciting and meaningful career that extends beyond just patrolling highways. Currently, nearly 200 State Troopers assist, educate, and enforce laws for the citizens of South Dakota, ensuring the safe and efficient flow of traffic on the state's roads. Troopers also investigate and reconstruct serious crashes, support other law enforcement agencies, investigate crimes, and play a crucial role in the state's homeland security. The South Dakota Highway Patrol provides a hiring incentive, expedited training academy, and increased pay for certified law enforcement officers. For those who are not yet certified, we will train you for the position of State Trooper.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities, including, but not limited to: Crash Investigations, PSD (K9), Criminal/Drug Interdiction, S.W.A.T., Drug Recognition Expert, Defensive Tactics/Firearms Instructor, Mobile Field Force Operator, EVOI (Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor), Honor Guard, Tactical Flight Officer (TFO), Highway Patrol Academy Instruction, L.E.T. Instruction, and Protection of Dignitaries.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 100 lbs.; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work spaces, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to various sites and locations throughout South Dakota. Shift work may include, but is not limited to, days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and standby.
Applicants shall meet the following minimum requirements:
- United States citizenship;
- Must be 21 years of age by January 18, 2026;
- Possession of or ability to acquire a South Dakota driver license.
- Possess at least 20/20 binocular vision, with or without corrective lenses. Color perception, depth, and field of view must be normal as determined by an optometric examination.
- Using the average of measurements at 500, 1000, and 3000 Hz, hearing loss shall not exceed 35 dB in each ear without correction.
- The applicant shall be free of any chronic disease or organic or functional defect, as determined by a medical examination, that would impair the performance of the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- The applicant shall be capable of passing physical agility tests, including push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and a one-and-one-half-mile run.
- The applicant must adhere to the South Dakota Highway Patrol Tattoo, Body Piercing, and Body Modification Policy.
Successful applicant(s) will need to undergo a background check. An arrest or conviction record will not automatically disqualify you from employment. Employment offers depend on passing a drug screening.
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position with the Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol. For more information on the South Dakota Highway Patrol, please visit https://dps.sd.gov/safety-enforcement/highway-patrol/careers .
Licenses and Certifications:- Valid Driver's License
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Current Certified Law Enforcement Officers must provide current licenses and certifications.
- Out-of-State Applicants must submit current law enforcement licenses and certifications.
- Non-Certified Applicants must attend the 13-Week Basic Law Enforcement Academy (L.E.T.) in Pierre, SD to obtain Certification. After completing the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, applicants are required to attend a 10-Week Highway Patrol Recruit Academy.
Questionnaire: Applicants will be required to answer a series of job related questions when submitting an application for this job.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
The ideal candidate will possess unwavering integrity, a solid work ethic, good judgment and problem-solving skills, and show enthusiasm for law enforcement along with a strong dedication to serving the citizens and visitors of South Dakota.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Successfully complete a certified police academy.
- Understand the functions and objectives of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
- Learn basic principles of criminal law.
- Study principles and practices of community policing.
- Gain knowledge of modern police methods and procedures related to patrol, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques, including interviewing.
- Understand law enforcement theory, principles, and practices and how to apply them to various services and programs.
- Learn about State geography, public buildings, and businesses in assigned areas.
- Stay updated on recent court decisions and how they impact agency operations.
- Practice self-defense tactics.
- Develop skills to interpret and make decisions according to Federal, State, and Local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Learn to gather, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence effectively.
- Improve observation skills to remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places accurately.
- Prepare clear and concise reports.
- Quickly and objectively analyze situations to determine appropriate actions.
- Respond promptly and calmly in emergencies.
- Interact professionally, tactfully, and effectively with the public.
- Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform duties safely and effectively.
- Use good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in changing situations.
- Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others encountered during work.
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 at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . 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=23S
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"
#LI-Onsite