Academy Enrolled/Self Sponsored Police Recruit

Salary : $99,767.20 - $121,267.74 Annually
Location : Fountain Valley, CA, CA
Job Type: Non-exempt FLSA
Job Number: 2026-44
Department: Police
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
This recruitment is open to candidates who are currently enrolled in a POST certified Police Academy.
This recruitment is conducted on a continuous basis to meet the needs of the City as vacancies occur and may close at any time.

Job Overview

The Fountain Valley Police Department is actively recruiting highly motivated self-sponsored academy recruits who are community-oriented, disciplined, and ready to excel within a supportive, forward-thinking environment.
Why Join Fountain Valley Police Department?
Hiring Incentive Bonus
We offer a 5,000 dollar hiring incentive bonus for Police Officer Academy Graduates. This is paid in two equal installments: 2,500 dollars at the time of hire and 2,500 dollars upon successful completion of the probationary period.
Competitive Compensation and Stability
Build a stable, rewarding career with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Please see the Benefits tab for full details regarding our total compensation package.
Specialized Assignments
Expand your expertise through diverse assignments, including General Detectives, Special Investigations Unit Detectives, School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Traffic and Motorcycle units, SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics, via West County), Drone Operator, and K9 units.
Special Compensation Opportunities
Officers may qualify for additional special compensation based on specific criteria outlined in the POA MOU:

• 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.

Community-Focused Policing
Serve a community that genuinely supports its police department. Our officers are encouraged to build lasting relationships, solve problems creatively, and engage proactively with residents.
Opportunities for Advancement
From specialized assignments to advanced training and professional development, we actively support your long-term career goals and reward initiative.
Accessible Leadership
Our command staff is visible, approachable, and deeply invested in your individual success.

Start Your Career StrongWe ensure a seamless transition from the academy to the streets by providing:

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

Ready to Make a Difference? If you are looking for a department where integrity, teamwork, and community come first, apply today to discover what makes the Fountain Valley Police Department the right choice for your future.
To access the full class specification, including a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: and

Qualification Guidelines
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.

General Guidelines:

• 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.

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. 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.

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.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO hr@fountainvalley.gov
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.
Fountain Valley Police Officers' Association (FVPOA) Representation: This classification is represented by the Fountain Valley Police Officer Association. to access the current FVPOA Memorandum of Understanding.
Compensation:

• Base Salary Adjustments: None scheduled.

• Merit Increase: 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.

• 457 Deferred Compensation: The City directly contributes $200 per month toward your 457 retirement account to help grow your personal savings.

• PORAC Retiree Medical Trust: The City contributes $150 per month to the PORAC Retiree Medical Trust, securing your health benefits for the future.

• Retention Incentive Premium: Sworn personnel receive significant pay premiums based on total years of law enforcement service (including qualified lateral experience):
  • 5% Premium upon completion of 5 years
  • 7% Premium upon completion of 10 years
  • 8% Premium upon completion of 15 years
  • 9% Premium upon completion of 20+ years

• P.O.S.T. Professional Certification Pay: Sworn personnel are eligible for significant base-salary increases based on their California P.O.S.T. certification levels:

• Intermediate Certificate: 5% increase to base hourly pay.
• Advanced Certificate: 12% increase to base hourly pay.

• Physical Fitness Program (Wellness): Sworn personnel earn an additional $495/month by maintaining peak operational readiness and meeting annual wellness standards.

• Fitness Compensatory Time: Sworn personnel who participate in the City's on-site fitness program in the Police Department's gym will be eligible to accrue fitness compensatory time, up to forty (40) hours. Employees may use their fitness compensatory time in lieu of working the ten (10) administrative day that occurs once during the twenty-eight (28)-day schedule or can use this fitness compensatory time in the same manner they use overtime compensatory time.

• Other Specialty Pays: Employees under certain assignments, or who possess specialized skills/training, certifications, bilingual pay, court appearances, 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. Most new POA employees will be enrolled as follows:

• New Members / PEPRA Police: 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 2.7% at age 57 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 13.75% pre-tax contribu