Dispatcher - Entry Level

Join The Fountain Valley Police Department

More than a job—an opportunity to serve, grow, and make an impact. The Fountain Valley Police Department's mission is to demonstrate courage to protect life and property in our community; duty to provide the highest quality of service in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner; and commitment to take a leadership role in providing public safety and quality of life in a manner that will preserve the public trust.

The City is seeking dedicated individuals to fill the Dispatcher
- Entry-Level position. This role serves 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, dispatch the rapid deployment of police personnel, and coordinate fire resources through Metro Net. 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.

Excellent benefits include:

• 4/10 schedule
• An incredible retirement/pension:
  CalPERS (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Flex dollars for CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plans
• Matching deferred compensation contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

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.

Education:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

Experience:

At least one year of clerical or other related experience involving contact, heavy telephone/dispatch experience and some use of independent judgement. Public Safety experience is highly desirable.

Highly desirable:
Possession of a current typing certificate demonstrating a net typing speed of 50 WPM or higher. Applicants must attach a valid typing certificate that was issued within the past twelve (12) months and must clearly identify the applicant's name, typing speed (WPM), and accuracy percentage. Typing certificates may be obtained online through platforms such as Ratatype:
Ratatype
- Online Typing Test or through the Official Typing Test:
Official Typing Test.

Upon hire, you will begin a structured four-phase training program. The Communications Training Program is a structured four-phase program lasting approximately six to seven months. During this time, Communications Training Offers (CTOs) provide daily instruction, coaching, and evaluations. Training may be extended based on individual progress and performance.

Special requirement:
Ability to work evenings, holidays, weekends, irregular hours, and variable shifts. Normal vision and hearing acuity.