Highway Patrol Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Job ID: 36990
Agency: Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol
Location:StatewideSalary: $30.89/hr (plus additional $2.00/hr night shift differential and $2.00/hr weekend differential)
Pay Grade: L03
Closing Date: 09/18/2026
For more information on the South Dakota Highway Patrol, please visit https://dps.sd.gov/safety-enforcement/highway-patrol/careers.
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, Police Service Dog (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, Law Enforcement Training Instruction, and Protection of Dignitaries.
This position requires the 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 space, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations throughout the State of South Dakota.
Shift work to include, but not limited to: days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and stand-by.
Applicants shall meet the following minimum requirements:

• United States citizenship;
• Must be 21 years of age no later than November 20, 2026;
• Possession of or ability to obtain 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 readings at 500, 1000, and 3000 Hz, hearing shall be at a decibel loss of no more than 35db in each ear without correction;
• Applicant shall be free of any chronic disease or organic or functional defect, as determined by a medical examination, that would impair performance of the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation;
• Applicant shall be capable of passing physical agility tests, push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and one and one-half mile run;
• The applicant shall comply with the South Dakota Highway Patrol Tattoo, Body Piercing, and Body Modification Policy.

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.
Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Driver License
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Current Certified Law Enforcement Officers must provide current Licenses and Certifications.
• Out-of-State Applicants must provide 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 must attend a 10-Week Highway Patrol Recruit Academy.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
The ideal candidate will possess uncompromising integrity, a strong work ethic, exercise good judgment and problem solving skills, and demonstrate an enthusiastic passion for law enforcement and a strong commitment to serving the citizens and visitors to the State 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

Benefits Include:

• 120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 112 Hours of Sick Leave
• Paid Family Leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employer-Provided Health Care Available
• State Retirement 8% Match
• Employee Wellness Program
• Take Home Vehicle
• Per Diem
• Night and Weekend Shift Differential
• $5,000 Signing Bonus for Certified Officers in and out-of-state
• Increased Pay for Prior Law Enforcement Experience
• Continued Education/Training
• Promotional Opportunities

For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Brandon Akron at 605.773.2231 or email highwaypatrolcareers@state.sd.us.
Information for Applicants:
Please follow these application instructions.

1. Submit an electronic employment application.
2. Submit proof of law enforcement certification or reciprocity eligibility (if applicable).

Applicants are no longer required to take the South Dakota Law Enforcement written test as part of the application process.
All applicants selected to advance in the selection process will be notified by the SDHP and will be contacted in regards to their initial interview.
The SDHP has physical fitness standards that can be viewed here.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation and medical examination.
Applicants selected to advance from initial interviews will be required to travel to Pierre for physical fitness testing and second interviews. Dates and times will be assigned by the SDHP.
Applicants selected for employment who are not law enforcement certified in South Dakota are scheduled to participate in a 23 week training program in Pierre. (13-Week Basic Law Enforcement Academy, 10-Week Highway Patrol Academy).
Applicants selected for employment who are currently law enforcement certified officers in South Dakota or out of state certified or reciprocity eligible who have passed the reciprocity exam and skills testing will participate in a 6-Week Highway Patrol Academy in Pierre.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.
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=4KP
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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