Dispatcher (Part-Time & Per-Diem)

Salary : $80,288.00 - $97,593.60 AnnuallyLocation : Fountain Valley, CAJob Type: Non-exempt FLSAJob Number: 2026-19Department: PoliceOpening Date: 05/14/2026DescriptionThe 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.Fountain Valley Police DepartmentThe 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 OptionsPart-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 monthEmployee + 1 Dependent: $587.50 per monthEmployee + Family: $725.00 per monthDeferred 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 OverviewReceive 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 GuidelinesEDUCATION: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. To access the full class specification, including a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: Recruitment InformationRECRUITMENT 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 or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer, or browser used to submit the application. QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO . SELECTION PROCESS:The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, written test, performance exam, and/or oral interview examination. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above. IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), and pre-employment medical examination.The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the test date. NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required.Fountain Valley General Employees Association (FVGEA) Representation: This classification is represented by the Fountain Valley General Employees Association for additional information. Flexible Work Schedules: Most General employees are offered the option to work a flexible work schedule, including either a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule.Compensation: Base Salary Adjustments4% base salary adjustment effective Pay Period Ending July 3, 2026. Merit Increase General employees shall be eligible for merit increases annually on the first day of the pay period closest to their anniversary date, until they reach the fifth step.Deferred Compensation Matching Contribution Employees in regular positions may voluntarily participate in the City's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Empower. The City will match up to a total amount of $225 per month into each employee's deferred compensation account for each General employee who contributes to the City's deferred compensation plan. Other Specialty Pays Employees under certain classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills, training and/or certifications, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the for further details.Retirement: All full-time employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) - a defined benefit program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.New Members / PEPRA: As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), "New Members" have never been a member of any California public retirement system, were hired by a CalPERS agency after January 1, 2013, moved between public retirement systems lacking reciprocity, or moved between employers in the same public retirement system with a break in service of more than six months. New Members are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 retirement formula and pay a contribution rate of 50% of the total normal cost of the PEPRA member benefits for their retirement pension. This rate is determined annually based on the actuarial valuation of the retirement benefits provided to active PEPRA employees. For Fiscal Year 25/26, employees pay a mandatory 7.75% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for PEPRA is $191,679 (pursuant to GC § 7522.10). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.Classic Members: New employees who joined CalPERS or a reciprocal public retirement system before January 1, 2013, without a break in service longer than six months, are considered "Classic" members and will be enrolled in the 2% at age 60 retirement formula. Employees pay a mandatory 7% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. To determine if you are eligible for reciprocity, please click on the following link: Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for Classic Members is $360,000 (pursuant to IRC section 401(a)(17)). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.For both Classic and PEPRA Members, the City contracts for the three-year average for final compensation, a 2% Cost-of-Living adjustment in retirement, and service credit for unused sick leave. The City also contracts for the Fourth Level Survivor Benefit ($2 per member per month). Please refer to the FVGEA Memorandum of Understanding for additional CalPERS contract provisions.Health Insurance: The City will contribute towards the cost of health premiums for full-time employees as follows: Enrollment TierFlex Dollar AllowanceEmployee Only Coverage$675.00Employee +1 Dependent Coverage$1,175.00Employee + Family Coverage$1,450.00The Flex Dollar Allowance may be used for medical (optional), dental (mandatory), life insurance (mandatory), vision insurance (optional), and AFLAC (optional) premiums. All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire.Note: The Flex Dollar Allowance may vary for employees who are assigned to a job share position.MedicalEmployees have a choice to select a medical plan under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. Please visit for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.Dental Enrollment in a City dental plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD)Enrollment in a City life and ADD plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. The policy amount is $50,000. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).VisionEnrollment in a City vision plan is voluntary for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee.AFLACEmployees have the option to enroll in a variety of voluntary insurance plans including accident, short-term disability, hospital confinement indemnity, cancer/specified-disease, lump sum critical illness, and whole or term life insurance. Employee is responsible for the entire cost of the premium if they elect coverage.NoteCity employees do not participate in California's Disability Insurance (SDI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs through the Employment Development Department (EDD). While this saves employees 1.3% in payroll tax, it's important to keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to enroll in the AFLAC short-term disability benefit.Flexible Spending AccountEmployees may contribute pre-tax earnings into a flexible spending account for health ($3,400 maximum in 2026) and dependent care expenses ($7,500 maximum in 2026).Long-Term DisabilityThe City provides long-term disability insurance for all General employees at no cost. The City pays 100% of the policy premiums.Medical Opt-OutEmployees who submit sufficient proof of alternate group health insurance may waive coverage and receive the following in monthly taxable cash through the Cafeteria Plan: $350 per month. Dental and life insurance are not optional benefits and such premiums will be deducted from the opt-out cash.Retiree MedicalEmployees who retire from the City of Fountain Valley may be entitled to a monthly employer contribution towards health insurance if they meet certain criteria. In 2026, this monthly employer contribution is $162 (the PEMHCA minimum).Time Off From Work: The City offers a generous leave package!HolidaysGeneral employees shall be entitled to 11 paid holidays per calendar year (including a "floating holiday" that can be used at the employee's discretion).VacationEmployees accrue 80 hours of paid vacation leave per year. Accruals increase based on time in service with the City of Fountain Valley, beginning after completion of 1 year of service (increases to 120 hours per year). General employees may elect to receive a cash payment for up to 80 hours of accrued vacation at the end of the calendar year if certain criteria are met.SickSick leave accrues bi-weekly based on the employee's work schedule:Work ScheduleBi-Weekly AccrualMonthly Equivalent5/8 or 9/803.69One 8-Hour Day4/104.62 HoursOne 10-Hour DayTuition Reimbursement: Eligible employees may receive up to $3,000 per fiscal year for actual tuition expenses.Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The City provides a confidential, no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help you and your household members navigate personal challenges. This third-party service offers support for personal counseling, financial guidance, legal advice, and more.Social Security: City employees are not covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI); therefore, they are not required to contribute 6.2% of salary towards Social Security.Medicare: Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare.This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Compensation Plan, Memoranda of Understanding, Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, Retirement Contract, Insurance Policy Contract, or any other official document of the City of Fountain Valley. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the City of Fountain Valley's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers. Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Division at (714) 593-4506.01 Which position are you interested in applying for? Per-DiemJob Share (Entry Level)Job Share (Lateral)02 Do you currently possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent? (Required) YesNo03 Dispatcher (Job Share - Lateral and Per-Diem): Do you have a current P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course Certificate? (Required). Please attach your certificate to your application. YesNoN/A04 Dispatcher (Job Share - Lateral and Per-Diem): Have you successfully completed probation as a Police Dispatcher with a California law enforcement agency? If yes, please list the agency name, the dates of your probation, and the total years of service with that department. If not applicable, please type "N/A." 05 Dispatcher (Job Share-Entry Level): You are required to attach a P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Exam T-Score (Score of 45 or above) OR National Testing Network exam test score (70% or above on each component) to this application at the time of submission. Applications that do not contain the required attachments will be disqualified. Do you acknowledge this requirement? YesNo06 Dispatcher (Job Share-Entry Level): Do you possess at least one (1) year of heavy telephone, public contact or dispatch experience? If not applicable, please type "N/A." 07 Please list any current (within the past 3 years) college/university level coursework or training related to the field of law enforcement or police dispatching which you have completed. Include name of college/university and course name(s). If you have attained an AA/AS, BA/BS, or MA/MS in a related field, list degree and field of study only. 08 List the type(s) of computer aided dispatch (CAD) and/or records management systems (RMS) you have worked on. Include the name of the system, dates and level of user each system (dispatcher, records clerk, system administrator, trainer, etc). If not applicable, please type "N/A." 09 This position requires that an incumbent be available to perform shift work (days, nights, graveyard), including working on holidays and weekends. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule? YesNo10 I certify that all of the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I understand purposely providing false information may be grounds for disqualification from the process. I have supplied all the applicable information in my application. Examples of incomplete/inaccurate information leading to disqualification include, but are not limited to: noting incorrect department, leaving dates of employment blank, leaving reason for leaving employment blank, leaving duties blank or noting "see resume", etc. AgreeDisagreeRequired Question