Dispatcher (Part-Time & Per-Diem)

Join The Fountain Valley Police Department

The call is coming in. Are you ready to answer? Join the Fountain Valley Police Department.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. Please apply immediately, as this recruitment may close at any time upon receiving enough qualified applications.

The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County, California. With approximately 60,000 residents, we are a mid-sized, full-service Police Department that proudly serves our wonderful community, dedicated to protecting life, property, and public safety. With City events like our Summerfest and Concerts in the Park, we actively participate alongside community members to build a safe and vibrant City. The City of Fountain Valley is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within 15 miles radius of the City, providing many options for a rich work-life balance.

Join Dispatch: Be the First Responder

The City is seeking dedicated individuals to fill Part-Time Dispatcher (Job Share) and Per-Diem Dispatcher positions. These roles serve as the vital, life-saving communication link within our Police Department. Operating under the leadership of a Lead Dispatcher or Watch Commander. You will manage high-stakes emergency call intakes, process critical data, and coordinate the rapid deployment of essential police and fire resources. This role delivers indispensable support to our field personnel, ensuring every officer operates with the real-time information and backup necessary to protect the community and return home safely.

Find Your Fit: Two Position Options

Part-Time Dispatcher (Job Share): This position works 20 hours per week. Salary and benefits are prorated based on scheduled hours. We accept both Lateral candidates and Entry-Level applicants. Entry-level hires will receive comprehensive, hands-on training to master our communication systems. Excellent Part-Time (Job-Share) Benefits Include:

• Salary Increase: 4% base salary increase scheduled for July 2026.
• Retirement & Pension: Robust CalPERS retirement plans (2%@60 for Classic members or 2%@62 for PEPRA members).
• Health & Wellness Flex Dollars: Tier III flex dollars applied toward CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plans, mandatory dental, mandatory $25,000 life insurance, vision, and optional AFLAC insurance:
  • Employee Only: $337.50 per month
  • Employee + 1 Dependent: $587.50 per month
  • Employee + Family: $725.00 per month
• Deferred Compensation: Matching deferred compensation contribution up to $225 per month.
• Disability Protection: 100% City-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Prorated leave accruals and 11 paid holidays based on the number of regular hours worked.

Per-Diem Dispatcher: This is an on-call, at-will, and non-benefited position designed specifically for Lateral dispatchers. This Per-Diem role is ideal if you want to:

• Boost Your Income: Supplement your current salary by picking up available shifts that fit your financial goals.
• Maintain Ultimate Flexibility: Work around your primary job, family commitments, or retirement schedule based entirely on department need and your personal availability.
• Keep Skills Sharp: Keep your professional dispatch expertise active in a dynamic, municipal setting without a full-time hour commitment.

Note: Per-Diem employees are excluded from the benefits package listed above.

Job Overview

• Receive and process emergency calls for police and fire protection services or information; promptly and efficiently dispatch personnel and equipment to accident, rescue, and emergency scenes.
• Analyze requests for police service; determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; and determine available units to dispatch.
• Listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field; acknowledge and comply with request for action or information.
• Maintain awareness of position of each police unit and activities in which personnel are engaged; check periodically with personnel to verify position and activity; supply back-up personnel; and take other appropriate steps to provide for the safety of field personnel.
• Maintain detailed records of each service request, each action taken, and the time each action was taken.
• Operate dispatch equipment and computer equipment.
• Input and retrieve a variety of public safety information using a computer; enter, update, and retrieve information regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information.
• Notify ambulance personnel, alarm company, traffic and signal maintenance, and other related personnel concerning emergencies.
• Maintain knowledge of the geography, street locations, and landmarks in the City and a general knowledge of the geography and landmarks of surrounding cities.

Qualification Guidelines

EDUCATION:

• Dispatcher (Job Share): Entry Level - Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Lateral - Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course is required, and graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Dispatcher (Per-Diem): Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Successful completion of the P.O.S.T Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Dispatcher (Job Share): Entry Level - One (1) year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment. Public Safety experience is highly desirable. Or one (1) year of heavy telephone, public contact, or dispatch experience. Lateral - Successful completion of probation as a Dispatcher in a municipal setting.
• Dispatcher (Per Diem): Successful completion of probation as a Dispatcher in a municipal setting.

Training & Shift Structure (Job Share - Entry Level Only): To set our dispatchers up for long-term career success, the department provides a highly structured, comprehensive training program:

• Training Duration: Standard training typically lasts 6 to 8 months. This timeline may be shortened based on individual experience and performance.
• Training Hours: New entry level hires must train full-time (up to 40 hours per week) for approximately the first 6 months to ensure operational proficiency. Once training is successfully completed, the position will permanently revert to the standard 20 hours per week.

Required Written Examination (Job Share - Entry-Level Only) Entry-Level candidates who meet the qualifications must fulfill the testing criteria to be considered:

• NTN ECOMM Exam: Candidates must complete the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam and computer simulation through the National Testing Network (NTN) within 12 months of the application date. Candidates are required to pay the testing fee directly to NTN.
• P.O.S.T. Waiver Option: Candidates who have completed their P.O.S.T. Entry Level Dispatcher test within the last 12 months may waive the NTN ECOMM exam. You must attach your official scores to your online application. A minimum T-score of 45 is strictly required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work evenings, holidays, weekends, irregular hours, and variable shifts.
• Ability to work closely with others and in confined spaces, around electrical energy.
• Normal vision and hearing acuity.

Recruitment Information

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure that all required documents are attached to the application. After documents are scanned and saved as a file on your computer, click on the "Add Attachments" link in the Job Application step of the employment application in order to upload the files. Documents must be entirely legible. Faxes, postmarks and hand delivery will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs Online Employment Application Guide or contact their