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Working for the South Dakota Unified Judicial System

Salary Schedule & Benefits Information

This document outlines the pay grades and salary ranges for the Unified Judicial System positions.

Current Salary Schedule View Benefit Information Health Benefit Information

Total Compensation Information & Incentives

Working for the Unified Judicial System offers more than just a paycheck—it includes a variety of benefits and incentives. Discover them here!

Total Compensation Information New Hire Incentives

Supreme Court and Circuit Court Law Clerk Positions

The UJS is seeking law students or lawyers who are interested in working as law clerks for the South Dakota Supreme Court or the state's seven circuit courts starting in 2027. Circuit court law clerk positions are available in Aberdeen, Brookings, Deadwood, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. All positions are for one year, except for the Seventh Circuit law clerk position in Rapid City which is for two years. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. 

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Circuit Court Judge Position

The Hon. Michael W. Day has announced his retirement effective June 8, 2026. His retirement will create a vacant Circuit Court Judge position (Position B) in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The duty station for this position will be located in Belle Fourche, S.D. Applications must be returned to the State Court Administrator’s Office and must be postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2026. 

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View Current Openings

Deputy Court Clerk I (Job ID 34498)

  • Rapid City, Seventh Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 01/20/2026

This position ensures the court record by maintaining case files, scheduling hearings, implementing procedures for monetary dispositions, and assisting in court proceedings for various case types. It also provides customer service and acts as the court clerk in their absence.

Court Services Officer (Job ID 34505)

  • Sturgis, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 01/21/2026

This position primarily supervise the participants of the 4th Circuit DUI Court Program.

Deputy Court Clerk Magistrate I (Job ID 34578)

  • Pierre, Sixth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 01/29/2026

This position ensures the court record by maintaining case files, scheduling hearings, implementing procedures for monetary dispositions, and assisting in court proceedings for various case types. It also provides customer service, performs magistrate duties as needed, and acts as the court clerk in their absence.

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-02)

  • Mitchell, First Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court, and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-03)

  • Sioux Falls, Second Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

These positions perform legal research and writing to assist the judges of the Second Judicial Circuit.

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-04)

  • Brookings, Third Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court, and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-05)

  • Deadwood, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court, and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-06)

  • Aberdeen, Fifth Judicial System
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court, and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-07)

  • Pierre, Sixth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Circuit Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-08)

  • Rapid City, Seventh Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

This position performs professional legal work by conducting legal research, communicating with judges regarding relevant points of law pertaining to legal issues before the court, and drafting legal documents and decisions to assist judges of the Unified Judicial System (UJS).

Supreme Court Law Clerk (Job ID J27-01)

  • Pierre, South Dakota Supreme Court
  • Close Date: 05/29/2026

These positions perform professional legal work through legal research and writing during all phases of the appeal process to assist the Justices of the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Bailiff (Job ID 33301)

  • Faulkton, Fifth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position maintains order during the trial and oversees the jurors.

Bailiff (Job ID 34015)

  • Sioux Falls, Second Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position maintains order during the trial and oversees the jurors.

Computer Assisted Court Recorder (Job ID 34522)

  • Sturgis, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position uses computer-assisted digital audio recording systems to record judicial proceedings in magistrate or circuit court to preserve the court record.

Court Reporter (Job ID 33416)

  • Rapid City, Seventh Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position reports, transcribes, and serves as the guardian of the verbatim stenographic record of official court proceedings in an accurate, impartial, and confidential manner.

Court Reporter (Job ID 33951)

  • Deadwood or Sturgis, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position reports, transcribes, and serves as the guardian of the verbatim stenographic record of official court proceedings in an accurate, impartial, and confidential manner.

Court Services Secretary (Job ID 34218)

  • Lake Andes, First Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

Provides secretarial support for court services staff in a judicial circuit by managing an office and providing caseload support as needed to facilitate office operation and staff's efficiency.

Deputy Court Clerk Magistrate I (Job ID 34457)

  • Yankton, First Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position ensures the court record by maintaining case files, scheduling hearings, implementing procedures for monetary dispositions, and assisting in court proceedings for various case types. It also provides customer service, performs magistrate duties as needed, and acts as the court clerk in their absence.

Deputy Court Clerk Magistrate I (Job ID 34485)

  • Selby, Fifth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position ensures the court record by maintaining case files, scheduling hearings, implementing procedures for monetary dispositions, and assisting in court proceedings for various case types. It also provides customer service, performs magistrate duties as needed, and acts as the court clerk in their absence.

Deputy Court Clerk Magistrate I (Job ID 34510)

  • Deadwood, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Close Date: Until Filled

This position ensures the court record by maintaining case files, scheduling hearings, implementing procedures for monetary dispositions, and assisting in court proceedings for various case types. It also provides customer service, performs magistrate duties as needed, and acts as the court clerk in their absence.

Applicant Notices

Find valuable information on employee protection acts, laws and opportunities.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site, you can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources office at 605-773-4884 or jade.milli@ujs.state.sd.us.

Employee Polygraph Protection Act Information

The document provides information on the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA), which prohibits most private employers from requiring employees or job applicants to undergo polygraph (lie detector) tests. It outlines the conditions under which polygraph tests are allowed, including in certain security and pharmaceutical sectors, and for employees suspected of involvement in workplace incidents. It also details the rights of examinees, including the right to refuse or discontinue testing, and the legal protections against discrimination or retaliation for exercising these rights.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Information

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System is an equal-opportunity employer. Learn more by downloading this document.

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Family and Medical Leave Act Information

Employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within 12 months, including for reasons such as the birth or adoption of a child, personal or family health issues, or military family emergencies.

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UJS Employment Success Stories

Not sure if working for the South Dakota court system is the right career for you? Hear from some of our employees.

Computer Assisted Court Recorder | Sandra D.

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Court Reporter | Cindy W.

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Court Reporter | Jena S.

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Court Reporter | Jess P.

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Court Reporter | Katy D.

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Court Reporter | Kayla M.

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Court Reporter | Kelli L.

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Court Reporter | Melissa O.

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Court Reporter | Sara Z.

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Court Reporter | Tammy S.

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Court Reporter | Teresa B.

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Court Services Officer | Caitlin S.

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Court Services Officer | Chris P.

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Court Services Officer | Kelly L.

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Court Services Officer | Marc L.

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Court Services Officer | Tara H.

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