Correctional Sergeant

Correctional Sergeant

Salary

$73,515.00 - $114,868.00 Annually

Location

Hastings, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

61120.26.002

Department

County Sheriff

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

10/19/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Sheriff

HOURS: Full-time

FULL SALARY RANGE: $73,515- $114,868

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515- $91,894

LOCATION: Hastings, LEC

UNION: MNPEA

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 10/19/2026

Dakota County Correctional Sergeants will be assigned one of several sergeant positions within the Jail Division of the Sheriffs Office. Assignments may include Operations, Programs or Administration. Sergeants report directly to the division Captains. All positions work closely with the division Captains, direct reports, and support staff members to effectively carry out the mission of the Dakota County Sheriffs Office and their assigned division.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree AND four years experience as a Correctional Deputy or comparable experience such as military (working in a leadership/detention role or similar role), hospital security, jail/prison, or police officer experience. Two of those years must be as a Correctional Deputy.

OR

• Bachelors Degree AND minimum two years experience as a Correctional Deputy.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and comparable work experience to equal or exceed 6 years. Two of those years must be as a Correctional Deputy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Management or a closely related field of study.
• Lead or supervisory experience
• Corporal or Sergeant (Miliary or Corrections related) experience
• Pursuant to Dakota County Policy, this position is designated as Safety Sensitive. "Safety-sensitive position" means a position, including any supervisory or management position, in which impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten the health and safety of any person as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 181.950, subdivision 13.

Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are essential functions of all correctional sergeant positions. These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions. Assignment to a specific correctional sergeant position is at the discretion of the Sheriff or designee.

1. Work with the division Captains and other members of the division to collaborate and effectively carry out the mission of the Dakota County Sheriffs Office.

2. Assure the proper performance of the units mission and adherence to established rules, regulations, policies and procedures by personnel.

3. Provide leadership to the members within the assigned division.

4. Ensure assignment and scheduling of division employees is completed.

5. Determine staff training needs and other opportunities for development and make recommendations to the division Captain.

6. Evaluate performance of subordinates to include a six-month progress review as well as the annual performance review.

7. Understand how to initiate, document or escalate coaching and disciplinary actions when appropriate.

8. Ability to make independent decisions while exercising good judgment.

9. Understand Dakota County and Sheriff's Office policy and procedures.

10. Ability to perform the core functions of subordinate members.

11. Review reports for accuracy, thoroughness and appropriate use of grammar.

12. Ensure proper maintenance and care of facilities and equipment within assigned span of control.

13. Review, recommend and implement Lexipol Policy changes to jail operations.

14. Effectively and ethically represent the Sheriffs Office in meetings, training, or presentations to citizens, civic groups, and other law enforcement and governmental agencies.

15. Other duties as assigned or specific to each correctional sergeant assignment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-15 are essential functions.

Appendix 1: Jail Operations

Essential Functions: All the duties listed below are essential functions for the Jail Operations Sergeant position.

1. Direct supervision of the inmates in the Dakota County Jail, including timely performance of unit duties, and help facilitate the movement of boarded inmates in other facilities.

2. Principal liaison in jail facility for jail administration, correctional staff, program staff, contract personnel, and vendors to resolve issues ensuring a safe and secure jail.

3. Conduct regular inspections of the jail facility to ensure security, sanitation, condition of emergency equipment, areas in need of repair or painting, health hazards, fire hazards, and submit reports or work orders as appropriate and/or required.

4. Process inquiries for inmate and/or facility information to include inmate identity, other jurisdiction holds, extradition and Governor rendition procedures or outstanding legal proceedings.

5. Conduct and/or review inmate disciplinary hearings to decide inmates guilt or innocence. Receive and respond to inmate grievances as directed by Assistant Jail Administrator.

6. Respond to and direct resources during emergent and non-emergent incidents including, but not limited to, inmate fights, suicide attempts, threats to staff, fire alarms, escape attempts, contraband recovery, and medical situations to restore order and security to the facility.

7. Directs and ensures staff conduct searches of inmates, living areas, cells and visitors for contraband in accordance with jail policy and procedures.

Appendix 2: Administration

Essential Functions: All the duties listed below are essential functions for the Administration Sergeant position.

1. Act as Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Coordinator and Coordinator of Accessible Communications.

2. Provide administrative leadership including training development and tracking related to correctional staff.

3. Develop, maintain, train, coordinate, and document new hire curriculum.

4. Provide training on the jail management system and other systems as assigned.

5. Author and publish how-to instructional manuals on jail systems as needed or directed.

6. Maintain accountability and documentation of required retention paperwork to include radio logs, Taser logs, formal counts, and other logs as directed.

7. Maintain quality control and accountability of keys within and for the Dakota County Jail.

8. Generate and compile statewide reports for statistical reporting to Sheriffs Office Administration.

9. Ensure quality control and identify issues, problems and shortfalls within jail systems and report any issues to division Captains and vendors as needed.

10. Supervise correctional staff to ensure that the Book and Release Centers run smoothly and efficiently.

11. Conduct investigations and research jail records including video surveillance and electronic records for data practices inquiries/investigations as directed or required.

12. Act as jail operations supervisor as required.

Appendix 3: Programs

Essential Functions: All the duties listed below are essential functions for the Programs Sergeant position.

1. Provide oversight of jail programs and Inmates Motivated to Change (IMC) staff to create and offer innovative programming and to provide instruction, support and guidance that helps inmates meet their needs.

2. Evaluate programs to ensure they contribute to the jail programs mission and are evidence-based; ensure that programs offer diverse opinions and curriculums for inmates and are appropriate for the population.

3. Identify tracking mechanisms to communicate success of the programs department

4. Enhance and support programming efforts by implementing technology advancements.

5. Coordinate and seek out training for IMC deputies and programs staff.

6. Facilitate execution of programming contracts with vendors.

7. Collaborate with other county departments as well as non-county entities to facilitate inmate services.

8. Manage the inmate worker program.

9. Coordinate resource fairs and other opportunities to provide resources to support success of inmates.

10. Facilitate tracking and coordination of background investigations for programs staff as needed.

11. Seek out and apply for grants as needed and prepare reports for jail administration for review.

12. Act as jail operations supervisor as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Working knowledge of the operations of the Dakota County Jail.
• In depth knowledge of Minnesota Rules Chapter 2911 and jail safety and security procedures.
• Effective knowledge of principles and practices of management.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence and court procedures.
• Knowledge of inmate disciplinary system, grievance process and rights.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases, blood-borne pathogens, diabetes, and chemical dependency and treatment models.
• Ability to evaluate and analyze emergency situations and react to them in a quick and effective manner.
• Ability to manage a large and diversified caseload, while responding to new requests for service as they arise.
• Ability to make sound decisions and recommendations based on policy and procedure interpretations.
• Ability to organize, supervise, train and evaluate subordinates.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with people at all levels and maintain good relationships with other Sheriffs Office employees, other government agencies and the general public.
• Ability to receive and respond to confidential and sensitive topics.
• Ability to issue orders in a clear and precise manner.
• Ability to maintain a state of physical fitness to effectively be able to perform the duties of the assignment.
• Ability to participate in annual physical fitness testing administered by the Sheriffs Office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a secure jail facility, supervising correctional staff and inmates incarcerated for criminal activities ranging from misdemeanor to felony offenses. This position encounters physically threatening situations, which may require subduing or physically restraining inmates.. Standing or walking 8 to 12 hours daily. Climbing, running and kneeling frequently in response to incidents. Exposure to disagreeable odors (e.g., body odors, dirty clothing, human feces), body fluids, hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases (e.g., T.B., hepatitis, HIV), mentally unstable individuals and individuals under the influence of controlled substances. This work environment also includes the need to distinguish between classification colors for inmate uniforms to maintain inmate security. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, 2-way radios, video camera system, intercom, chemical agents, handcuffs, restraint chair, restraints, metal detector, control panel, fire and emergency panel, camera, fingerprint machine, canteen/inmate account system, Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the positions essential functions.

Candidates for employment with Dakota County Sheriffs Office must be able to comply with Policy 1043.3 which states that non-offensive tattoos which are visible while working are generally allowed. All tattoos must be approved before allowed to be visible. Tattoos may require covering if they are determined to be unsightly, offensive or a job assignment requires it. Visible tattoos on the ears, head, face, neck or any portion of the hand area are prohibited unless approved by the Sheriff.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a review of your training and experience from the application materials, and oral interviews.

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution

Dakota County Employee Relations

www.dakotacounty.us

Main Number 651.438.4435

(contact 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday)

Visit our Benefits site for more information.

01

• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

02

Please select the highest level of education completed or Degree held. (Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment)

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
• Professional/Technical Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary education
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

03

If you have a degree what is the field of study?

• Corrections
• Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement
• Management
• Closely related field
• Unrelated field
• N/A

04

If you answered closely related field to the question above, what is the field of study that your degree is in? If this is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.

05

How many years of full-time work experience do you have working as a Correctional Deputy or Correctional Officer in a locked secure correctional facility?

• None
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 or more years

06

How many years of experience comparable to a Correctional Deputy do you have? This would be experience in a position that is not a Correctional Deputy but a similar occupation such as military experience, hospital security, work in a prison/jail, or police officer.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 or more years

07

If you have experience comparable to that of a Correctional Deputy, please list where you gained this experience and what your job duties were. If none, please indicate N/A.

08

How many years of lead or supervisory experience do you have? This experience would include providing leadership, performance management, scheduling, etc.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 or more years

09

Please describe the duties associated with your lead or supervisory experience. If none, please indicate N/A.

10

How many years of Corporal or Sergeant (Miliary or Corrections related) experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 or more years

11

The full salary range for this position is $73,515- $114,868 annually and preferred hiring range is $73,515- $91,894annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package. Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary youd accept if selected for the position?

12

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

13

If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question

Employer Dakota County

Address Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone 651.438.4435

Website http://dakotacountymn.gov