Deputy Attorney General Jobs in South Dakota
Deputy Attorney General jobs in South Dakota concentrate in state government litigation, criminal prosecution, and civil law enforcement, with the Attorney General's Office in Pierre anchoring most of the demand alongside county-level roles in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. The South Dakota Attorney General's Office, the Minnehaha County State's Attorney's Office, and the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office are among the most consistent employers of deputy attorneys general in the state. The most in-demand specialties are criminal prosecution, child protection litigation, and consumer protection enforcement. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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See related jobsPosition Description
Civil Department: The Civil Department of the State’s Attorney’s Office is divided into the Civil, Juvenile, and Abuse and Neglect divisions.
Position Objective: The role of a deputy state’s attorney working in the Civil Department varies depending upon the division(s) an attorney is assigned to as noted below. The duties of a deputy state’s attorney in the Civil Department are directly related to the general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This position’s duties are directly related to the management and general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney office.
Position Functions
Essential Functions:
Civil Division:
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Attend county government meetings, court, and administrative proceedings, and provide legal representation to the County Commission, Planning Commission, and the appointed and elected officials who manage and operate the various offices and departments within Pennington County Government.
- Prepare witnesses and present evidence at all required administrative hearings, court hearings, and trials.
- Communicate with citizens and other interested parties on matters relevant to county government functions.
- Work and consult with federal, state, local and tribal agencies on matters involving county business.
- Assist in maintaining compliance with all county policies and procedures.
- Review law enforcement reports.
- Make charging decisions.
- Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving juvenile offenders.
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the Juvenile Justice System.
- Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
- Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
- Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, Juvenile Services Center, Department of Corrections and Court Services.
- Work cooperatively with the Juvenile Diversion Program of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
- Review law enforcement reports.
- Make charging decisions.
- Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving abuse and neglect proceedings.
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the judicial system.
- Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
- Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
- Represents the Department of Social Services in all stages of litigation in civil proceedings against parents and guardians accused of abusing or neglecting their children.
- Work cooperatively with the Department of Social Services, tribal representatives, children’s counsel, CASA, and others involved in abuse and neglect proceedings.
Qualifications
Education And/or Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school.
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
- Membership in the State Bar of South Dakota.
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
- This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
- Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted and move 40 pounds with assistance.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.
Additional Information
Working Environment:
- Most work is performed indoors in an office where noise and interruptions often occur.
- Extra hours may be required to complete projects and meet deadlines.
- Some travel may be required for training, meetings, and court/administrative hearings.
Position Description
Civil Department: The Civil Department of the State’s Attorney’s Office is divided into the Civil, Juvenile, and Abuse and Neglect divisions.
Position Objective: The role of a deputy state’s attorney working in the Civil Department varies depending upon the division(s) an attorney is assigned to as noted below. The duties of a deputy state’s attorney in the Civil Department are directly related to the general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This position’s duties are directly related to the management and general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney office.
Position Functions
Essential Functions:
Civil Division:
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Attend county government meetings, court, and administrative proceedings, and provide legal representation to the County Commission, Planning Commission, and the appointed and elected officials who manage and operate the various offices and departments within Pennington County Government.
- Prepare witnesses and present evidence at all required administrative hearings, court hearings, and trials.
- Communicate with citizens and other interested parties on matters relevant to county government functions.
- Work and consult with federal, state, local and tribal agencies on matters involving county business.
- Assist in maintaining compliance with all county policies and procedures.
- Review law enforcement reports.
- Make charging decisions.
- Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving juvenile offenders.
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the Juvenile Justice System.
- Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
- Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
- Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, Juvenile Services Center, Department of Corrections and Court Services.
- Work cooperatively with the Juvenile Diversion Program of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
- Review law enforcement reports.
- Make charging decisions.
- Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving abuse and neglect proceedings.
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the judicial system.
- Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
- Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
- Represents the Department of Social Services in all stages of litigation in civil proceedings against parents and guardians accused of abusing or neglecting their children.
- Work cooperatively with the Department of Social Services, tribal representatives, children’s counsel, CASA, and others involved in abuse and neglect proceedings.
Qualifications
Education And/or Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school.
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
- Membership in the State Bar of South Dakota.
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
- This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
- Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted and move 40 pounds with assistance.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.
Additional Information
Working Environment:
- Most work is performed indoors in an office where noise and interruptions often occur.
- Extra hours may be required to complete projects and meet deadlines.
- Some travel may be required for training, meetings, and court/administrative hearings.
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Find Deputy Attorney General JobsDeputy Attorney General Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Deputy Attorney General Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in deputy attorney general jobs across South Dakota.
- Active law license issued or recognized by the South Dakota State Bar
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Prior prosecutorial, civil litigation, or government law experience preferred
- Demonstrated legal research and brief-writing skills in a court setting
- Ability to manage an active caseload independently under court deadlines
- Strong oral advocacy skills for appearances before South Dakota state courts
Deputy Attorney General Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a deputy attorney general in South Dakota?
You must hold an active law license from the South Dakota State Bar, which requires passing the South Dakota bar exam administered by the State Board of Bar Examiners, or obtaining admission by motion if you are licensed in a reciprocal state. Candidates typically earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school before sitting for the bar. Most positions in the South Dakota Attorney General's Office then require a direct application to the state's Bureau of Human Resources.
Which companies hire deputy attorney generals in South Dakota?
Employers hiring deputy attorney generals in South Dakota right now include Pennington County, SD and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. State agencies and county state's attorney offices across South Dakota account for the largest share of ongoing openings, with the Attorney General's Office in Pierre posting the most consistently.
Which South Dakota cities have the most deputy attorney general jobs?
Rapid City and Sioux Falls are the South Dakota cities with the most deputy attorney general openings. Pierre leads because the state capital houses the Attorney General's Office and most state agency legal departments, while Sioux Falls and Rapid City generate demand through their large county state's attorney offices and the higher volume of criminal and civil litigation that comes with being South Dakota's two most populous metros.
How can I get hired as a deputy attorney general in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a clerkship with a South Dakota circuit court judge or the South Dakota Supreme Court, which gives new lawyers direct exposure to state court procedure and makes applications to the Attorney General's Office considerably more competitive. County state's attorney offices in smaller South Dakota counties, such as those in Brookings or Watertown, regularly hire recent admittees for assistant state's attorney roles that serve as a direct stepping stone. Passing the South Dakota bar and completing a clerkship or externship with any state agency legal division are the credentials that open the door earliest.
Where can I find and apply to deputy attorney general jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to deputy attorney general jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current South Dakota openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and practice area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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