Dispatcher- Entry Level

Join Our Team!

Come be a part of our team and see what makes Fountain Valley a nice place to live and work!

The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 60,000 residents, we are a mid-sized full-service police department that proudly serves our wonderful community with courage, duty, and commitment. With city events like our Summerfest and National Night Out, 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 a 15-mile radius of the city.

The Fountain Valley Police Department's mission is to demonstrate; 1) courage to protect life and property in our community; 2) duty to provide the highest quality of service in a fair, impartial and ethical manner; 3) commitment to take a leadership role in providing public safety and quality of life in a manner that will preserve the public trust.

The police department is comprised of dedicated professionals, including the Chief of Police, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 support services manager, 10 sergeants, 9 corporals, 39 police officers, 9 full-time dispatchers and 1 part-time dispatcher, a crime analyst, record clerks, community services officers, police cadets, and administrative staff.

To perform skilled work in receiving and transmitting police radio and telephone calls, dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment, maintain detailed records of activities in response to each request, and other duties as assigned.

This classification requires successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course within the probationary period. Although work is performed within established policies and procedures, it requires the exercise of sound judgment in emergency situations.

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the lead dispatcher or watch commander.

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.

Assist in training new personnel in the operations of the dispatch center.

Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, and other general clerical duties.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

One year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment. Public safety experience is highly desirable.

One year of heavy telephone, public contact, or dispatch experience.

The proper operation of telephone, voice radio, and burglar alarm reception equipment.

The proper operation of computer, speed dialer, dictaphone / tape recorder, and teletype machines.

The geography of the city and location of streets and important buildings.

State mandated data bases including driver's license, vehicle registration, warrants, and restraining orders.

Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Analyze situations and adopt quick, effective courses of action in emergency situations, in accordance with established rules and regulations.

Speak clearly, in a well-modulated voice, and use proper diction.

Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.

Follow oral and written instructions and carry out assignments with minimal supervision.

Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, city officials, and the public.

Maintain the security of criminal offender and other confidential information.

Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.

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.

Work is primarily performed in an office environment requiring prolonged sitting; walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, stooping, bending, leaning, and twisting; operate a computer terminal, telephone and dispatch equipment; exposure to computer glare, vibrations, and pitch; ability to lift, carry, and move objects totaling approximately 15 pounds in weight; and have mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and / or supplemental questionnaire.

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 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 HR@FOUNTAINVALLEY.GOV.

All required certifications / licenses must be submitted with your application and ecomm exam completed in order to be considered further for this recruitment. Candidates that have applied within six (6) months to the previous dispatcher recruitment are not eligible to apply for this recruitment.

Written exam : Interested candidates who meet the position qualifications must have completed the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam through the National Testing Network (NTN) within the last 12 months along with submitting an online application to be considered further for this recruitment. Candidates are required to pay a fee to NTN to take the ECOMM written exam. You may visit the NTN website at https : / / www.nationaltestingnetwork.com for more information regarding test dates / sites. NTN scores are considered valid with the City of Fountain Valley if obtained within 12 months of application date. Candidates who have completed their P.O.S.T. Dispatcher exam within the last year (12 months) must attach scores along with their application in order to waive the NTN ECOMM exam. Candidates must have a minimum T-score of 45.

Oral interview : Will evaluate the candidate's experience, training, and personal qualifications that are essential for successful performance on the job.

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), polygraph, psychological evaluation, post-offer drug test and post-offer 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 accommodation during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date.

Note : The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.