Academy Enrolled/Self Sponsored Police Recruit

The Fountain Valley Advantage

Fountain Valley Police Department

• Courage: To protect life and property throughout our community.
• Duty: To deliver the highest tier of public service in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner.
• Commitment: To maintain a proactive leadership role in public safety, preserving the community trust every single day.

Why Join Fountain Valley Police Department?

• POST Certification Pay: 5 percent for Intermediate, 12 percent of base salary for Advanced
• Physical Fitness and Wellness Pay: 495 dollars per month
• Special Assignment Pay: Eligible for K9, Detective, SRO, FTO, Traffic, and SWAT roles
• Bilingual Premium: Up to 200 dollars per month depending on qualification level
• Community-Focused Policing: Serve a community that genuinely supports its police department. Officers are encouraged to build relationships, solve problems creatively, and engage proactively. 
• Opportunities to Grow: From specialty assignments to training and professional development, we support career growth and recognize initiative.
• Accessible Leadership: Our command staff is visible, approachable, and invested in your success.

• A supportive and structured Field Training Program
• Dedicated mentorship from experienced officers
• Early opportunities to build confidence, competence, and field expertise

To access the full class specification, including a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: Police Recruit and Police Officer 

Academy Status & Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled in a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Basic Police Recruit Academy.
• Provide formal verification of your academy written and physical agility entrance exam scores with your application.
• Maintain satisfactory academic and physical training performance evaluations by your academy staff.
• Must graduate from the academy prior to your official appointment date.

• High School graduation or GED (Associate or Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable).
• Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license by the time of appointment.
• Able to work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends.

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.

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 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.

Selection Process:  The selection process will consist of the following:

• Application Review (including successful submission of required documentation)
• 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 or Police Officer will not be eligible to re-apply for another 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.

Important Selection 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: Background Investigation, reference checks, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), post-offer drug test, and pre-employment medical examination.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO [email protected]

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.