Jail Guard Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $26.40 - $35.63 Hourly
Location : Courthouse, 416 S Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-06
Department: Sheriff
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
Job Posting
This position will remain open until filled.
CLASSIFICATION: Position is based on 12-hour shifts to cover 24 hours/day. A scheduling period of 160 hours in 28 day rotation. Covered under collective bargaining agreement between Pipestone County and L.E.L.S. FLSA non-exempt.
NATURE OF WORK: Position involves responsible security, treatment, and communications work in the County Sheriff's Department. Duties include maintaining LEC security, supervising the daily activities of residents, coordinating intake and release procedures for residents, receiving phone and radio calls and dispatching appropriate response personnel, coordinating ambulance attendant activities, and logging all LEC activities. Work is performed independently under the supervision of the Sheriff and/or Jail Administrator. Work is reviewed and evaluated in progress and/or upon completion.
AUTHORITY: Hired by Sheriff/Jail Administrator with County Board approval.
Subject to one (1) year probationary period. Subject to pre-employment criminal background check and driving record check.
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS: Criminal Justice Information Systems (teletype) certification every two years. Sixteen hours/year of continuing education through Department of Corrections for jailer certification.
Certification to administer medications or proof of medication training from Public Health Nurse.
Minimum of a current advanced First Aid and CPR card.
RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Sheriff/Jail Administrator as required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduate/GED
• Minimum of 18 years of age required.
• Minimum of three years of previous work experience in dealing with the public; or acceptable combination of education and experience deemed acceptable by Pipestone County.
• Minimum of current advanced First Aid and CPR; defibrillator and taser certification.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITY INCLUDE:

• Able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Basic typing and computer skills;
• Ability to make independent decisions, to deal effectively with public and inmate population; including sometimes violent or non-cooperative individuals; and to use sound judgment in emergency situations.
• Accurate, dependable. Ability to respect and maintain client confidentiality.

SPECIFIC DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes, but not limited to the following: To protect the legal rights of inmates, jailer/dispatchers assist Jail Inspector, Health Inspector, and Jail Administrator with jail inspections, explaining jail procedure and insuring compliance with DOC standards. These are accomplished through the following:
Correctional Officer Duties:
Essential Duties:

• Supervises residents' daily routines. Performs regular status checks. Supervises the ordering and distribution of meals, provides medical services, maintains sanitary living conditions, monitors the presence of infectious diseases, escorts residents to scheduled appearances, and supervises visiting schedules and work release programs under Hubers' Law contracts. Purchases maintenance supplies and residents' personal items.
• Establish and monitor Electronic Home Monitoring and Electronic Alcohol Monitoring.
• Maintains security of LEC and residents through cell checks and searches. Guards against suicides, escapes, and fights. Maintains all security devices and runs video equipment.
• Performs intake and discharge procedures, to include monitoring prisoner release date, work release schedules and payments, and updating records as necessary. Conducts interviews and searches, takes fingerprints and photos, collects and safeguards personal items. Determines if prisoner is being held on a charge appropriate for detention.
• Determines proper cell assignment.
• Processes all paperwork.
• Prepares/maintains all necessary reports, records, files and logs as required.
• Maintains residents' monetary accounts.
• Collects and receipts bail, bond and Hubers' fee monies.
• Assists prisoners in obtaining attorneys, bondsmen.
• Testifies in court as required.
• Female matrons are responsible for female resident care.
• Observes health and safety precautions in the performance of all tasks.

Additional Duties:

• Coordinates resident education and treatment programs with outside agencies.
• Assists other law enforcement personnel in the apprehension, transport, and care of prisoners as required. May obtain urine samples to aid in determining blood alcohol/drug content of prisoners.
• Performs other related work as required.

PST Duties:
Essential Duties:

• Receives all telephone and radio calls, including 911 calls, general information calls, and radio traffic from all law enforcement personnel. Determines if a routine or emergency situation exists and dispatches the proper response personnel with speed and accuracy. Relays information and requests to and from response units and maintains constant contact to assist if further trouble develops.
• Dispatches for all other entities contracted with the county.
• Monitor numerous ARMER Radio Talkgroups for Law Enforcement and Emergency Response Agencies. Patch Talkgroups and link assisting agencies together for communication purposes when necessary.
• Records times and mileages for emergency agencies.
• Learns and operates all radio systems.
• Documents all Sheriff's Office activities that occur throughout the shift; including but not limited to: phone calls, in and out, incidents, deputy activity.
• Based on predetermined policy, controls access to private and confidential information in computer files, releases information to those who may appropriately receive it, and enters data according to CJIS criteria.
• Run criminal histories for County Attorney, City Attorney, and Sheriff's Office and document reason for checks.
• Prepares, types and maintains ICRs, teletype messages, information books, ticket and tag books, logs, and case card files.
• Maintains and updates record system and warrant verification for BCA.
• Controls the security of the LEC and checks security of other monitored buildings with the alarm system.
• Conducts monthly civil defense equipment tests. Pages area sirens and local emergency officers and appropriate city officials in the event of inclement weather or national disaster.
• Assists the public at the window by answering questions, , or referring to appropriate resources.
• Observes health and safety precautions in the performance of all tasks.
• Must obey all state, federal, and local laws.

Additional Duties:

• Responds to media requests for information according to data privacy legislation.
• Tests ambulance pagers daily. Confirms readiness of upcoming shifts and prepares standby shifts when necessary.
• Performs other related work as required.

Access to Not Public Data
The incumbent may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, incumbent must properly store the not public data according to the provisions Ch. 13 Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Mathematical and Computer Skills
Ability to calculate figures such as area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Working knowledge of multiple computer environments. A high level of computer competency with standard data retrieval, record management and word processing software. Computer and typing experience is required. Knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet, LETG system (in-house records system); Adobe Pro and Touchscreen systems for jail security and 911-dispatch system. Comprehensive knowledge of principles, techniques and practices of the approved Department of Corrections Standards for a jail facility and techniques and practices of the public safety communications system and the general knowledge of police fire and EMS operations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to de-escalate stressful situations.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls, and keyboards; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision, and peripheral vision.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work 12 hour shifts in a confined area for a prolonged period, with no scheduled breaks. Shifts include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Ability to work unsupervised and in stressful situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel so classified.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
Pipestone County's benefits include
• Fully Funded Single Health Insurance - $1,700 annual HSA contribution
• Family Health Insurance Funding - $3,400 annual HSA contribution
• Many Optional Benefits
• Generous Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• Retirement contributions - 10.25% employer match to your pension
Visit the Pipestone County benefits page for complete details.
01
List your work experience dealing with the public.
02
List any previously acquired law enforcement education/experience.
03
Describe any experience/training you have had with answering telephones or radios. Include length of experience. Provide name of contact person and phone number to verify the information.
04
Describe any experience/training you have had with computers, the types of projects completed. Include length of experience. Provide name of contact person and phone number to verify the information.
05
Describe any previous experience in which you have had to deal with an emergency situation or with hostile persons on a professional or responsible level. Describe your role in the situation. Provide name of contact person and phone number to verify the information.
06
Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

08
Are you currently certified in CPR?

• Yes
• No

09
Are you currently certified in First Aid?

• Yes
• No

10
Are you currently a certified EMT?

• Yes
• No

11
If you are a Veteran or the spouse of a disabled or deceased Veteran and wish to claim Veteran's Preference, supply proof of your eligibility to claim a Veteran's Preference (DD214).

• Honorably Discharged Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran
• Do not wish to claim Veteran's Preferences

Required Question