Dispatcher (Part-Time & Per-Diem)

City of Fountain Valley • Fountain Valley, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fountain Valley 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Public Safety experience is highly desirable (Entry Level Job Share).

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Salary Increase: 4% base salary increase scheduled for July 2026 (Part-Time Job Share).
• Retirement & Pension: Robust CalPERS retirement plans (2%@60 for Classic members or 2%@62 for PEPRA members) (Part-Time Job Share).
• 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 (Part-Time Job Share).
• Deferred Compensation: Matching deferred compensation contribution up to $225 per month (Part-Time Job Share).
• Disability Protection: 100% City-paid long-term disability insurance (Part-Time Job Share).
• Paid Time Off: Prorated leave accruals and 11 paid holidays based on the number of regular hours worked (Part-Time Job Share).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED