Police Recruit

Fountain Valley School; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive bonus

Job summary

The City of Fountain Valley is hiring Police Recruits to join the Police Department and begin a meaningful law enforcement career. Recruits will attend a POST-approved academy at the City’s expense and, upon completion and field training, will be sworn in as Police Officers.

We emphasize community-focused policing, mentorship, and opportunities for advancement, with a part-time schedule and a hiring incentive bonus of $5,000.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED is required.
• Valid California Class C driver’s license at time of appointment.
• U.S. work authorization at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Attend a California POST Basic Police Recruit Academy.
• Learn California laws, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency response, and ethical policing.
• Develop communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Prepare for transition into sworn Police Officer duties, including patrol and investigations.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Description

SERVE WITH PURPOSE. TRAIN WITH EXCELLENCE. BUILD A CAREER THAT MATTERS.

Police Recruits Position

The Police Department is currently looking to hire up to four (4) Police Recruits. Please apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time upon receiving enough qualified applications.

First review of applications: September 24, 2026.

Testing Schedule

• Physical Agility Test (PAT)
• Oral Interview

Tentatively Scheduled for: October 10, 2026

Job Overview

We are seeking motivated, service-oriented individuals to join our Police Department as Police Recruits. This is a unique opportunity to begin a meaningful law enforcement career rooted in community trust, professionalism, and teamwork. Police Recruits will attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Basic Police Recruit Academy at the City's expense. Upon successful completion of the academy and field training program, recruits will be sworn in as Police Officers with the Fountain Valley Police Department.

Why Join Fountain Valley Police Department?

• Community-Focused Policing: We believe effective policing starts with relationships, respect, and accountability.
• Small Department, Big Impact: You won't be just a number - your contributions matter here.
• Supportive Culture: Strong mentorship, teamwork, and leadership committed to your success.
• Career Development: Ongoing training, specialty assignments, and opportunities for advancement.
• Work-Life Balance: A department that values wellness, family, and sustainability in policing.
• We offer a Hiring Incentive Bonus for Police Recruits! $5,000 paid in two (2) installments: $2,500 upon graduation from the Police Academy and Sworn in as a Police Officer; and $2,500 after successfully completing the probationary period.

What You'll Do

• Attend and successfully complete a California P.O.S.T. approved Basic Police Recruit Academy
• Learn California laws, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency response, and ethical policing
• Develop communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Prepare for transition into sworn Police Officer duties, including patrol, investigations, and community engagement
• To access the full class specification for Police Recruit, including the salary and a comprehensive list of all benefits, duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: Police Recruit

Upon Appointment As a Police Officer, You Will

• Protect life and property
• Enforce laws with fairness, integrity, and professionalism
• Build positive relationships with residents, businesses, and community partners
• Respond to calls for service and emergencies
• Participate in proactive policing and crime prevention efforts
• To access the full class specification for Police Officer, including the salary and a comprehensive list of all benefits, duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: Police Officer

Education

High School graduation or equivalent or possession of a General Education Development Test (GED) certificate is required.

Required License

Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license. [Please note: Candidates are required to have a California Driver's License at time of appointment.]

Required Written Examination

• FrontLine National exam through the National Testing Network with a score of 70% or above in each of the three (3) components (video-based human relations test, reading ability test and report writing test). The FrontLine exam must be submitted to the City through the National Testing Network's portal. OR
• P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) T-Score of 45 or above. P.O.S.T. T-Scores must have been issued within the last twelve (12) months of application submission.

Special Requirements (Pursuant To California POST)

• Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law
• At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record
• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Candidates must have normal hearing acuity. Refer to POST Hearing Guidelines
• Candidates must have a vision of 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, and normal color vision. Refer to POST Vision Guidelines.
• Candidates must have height and weight in accordance with age, sex, and frame.
• Police Officers must be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends as assigned.

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.

Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to [e-mail].

Selection Process

• Application Review (including successful submission of written examination results)
• Physical agility test
• Oral interview
• Extensive background investigation including credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ), and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting)
• Polygraph examination
• Medical examination after a conditional job offer is given (including a psychological evaluation and drug screen)

Re-application

Candidates who failed any component of the City of Fountain Valley's selection process for Police Recruit will not be eligible to re‑apply for another Police Recruit selection process until six months have passed since the date they were disqualified from the selection process.

EEO / ADA Statement

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 encourage 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.

Employment Status

Police Recruits and Firefighter Trainees are classified as part-time, at-will employees.

Social Security

City employees are not covered by Social Security; therefore, they are not required to contribute 6.2% of salary.

Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) Plan

The City has adopted a qualified social security alternative plan for all part-time, seasonal, as needed employees not covered by CalPERS to comply with Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 1990 (OBRA 90). Employees will contribute 7.5% of their wages into the defined retirement plan on a pre-tax basis in lieu of Social Security. Most Recruits and Trainees will be enrolled in the Public Agency Retirement Services plan (PARS), unless previous CalPERS membership is established and funds are on deposit.

Sick Leave

Pursuant to the Health Workplaces, Healthy Families Act, part-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one (1) hour for every 30 hours worked for a maximum of 40 hours per fiscal year. Part-time employees may begin using accrued sick leave on the 90th day of employment or later and may carry into the next fiscal year, up to 80 hours of accrued sick leave.

Medicare

Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare.

Health Insurance

• For those employees who reside in Region 2 (Orange County and San Diego), the City contributes $857.14 per month in 2026.
• For those employees who reside in Region 3 (Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino), the City contributes $740.11 per month in 2026.

Employees will be responsible for covering the remainder of the premium in excess of these amounts.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees have access to no-cost confidential 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week personal counseling, financial, and legal advice, through Lincoln Finance Group. This benefit is available to employees and members of their family members.

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 [phone].