Current City Board and Commission Vacancies: Planning Board, Cambridge Climate Committee, LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Force, LGBTQ+ Commission, Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship, Avon Hill NCD, Half Crown-Marsh NCD, Mid Cambridge NCD, and Citizens' Committee on Civic Unity.

Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Board members also have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process for a variety of topics. The City has 80 boards and commissions with over 500 members.

The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Are you ready to play a critical role in shaping Cambridge’s civic landscape? Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/Apply.

Below is a listing of current vacancies:

Planning Board (Application Deadline 3-6-23)
The Planning Board is made up of Cambridge residents who make recommendations and decisions about urban development on behalf of the City of Cambridge. This includes: reviewing major urban development proposals; granting certain types of special permits when they are needed, and putting conditions on special permit approval; reviewing proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, which sets rules for urban development, and making recommendations to the City Council.

Cambridge Climate Committee (Application Deadline 2-27-23)
The Climate Committee is a volunteer group of community members who work together to provide feedback and ideas to the City on topics related to climate change. It was formerly known as the Climate Protection Action Committee. The Climate Committee works to help the City reduce climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase equity, and serve as a partner to and example for other communities.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Force (Application Deadline 2-6-23)
This newly created Task Force will consider opportunities for new or revised practices and procedures to improve LGBTQ+ persons’ access to, and inclusion in, existing housing. The Task Force will also evaluate possibilities for new housing to be more LGBTQ+-friendly. The Task Force will issue a final report with concrete recommendations and action plans for ensuring LGBTQ+ housing access, safety, and inclusivity in Cambridge.

LGBTQ+ Commission (Application Deadline 2-6-23)
The Commission’s mission is to advocate for a culture of respect and to monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. The Commission also promotes policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare, and safety of LGBTQ+ persons who live, visit, or work in the City of Cambridge.

Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (Application Deadline 2-6-23)
Cambridge welcomes immigrants and works to support their success and access to opportunity and advancement. CIRC acts as a centralizing organization in Cambridge to address immigrant rights and citizenship issues by providing information, referrals, and guidance to residents seeking assistance. CIRC also coordinates and collaborates with other
city departments and external organizations and individuals that support immigrant rights and citizenship.

Three Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commissions: Avon Hill, Half Crown-Marsh, and Mid Cambridge. (Application Deadline 2-6-23) 
Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by City Ordinance in 1983. Conservation district designation recognizes a distinctive physical environment that reflects the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city. NCDs foster wider public knowledge and appreciation of such neighborhoods. Designation encourages the conservation and maintenance of these areas so that the City may be a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work. The following NCD's have vacancies:

• Avon Hill NCD
• Half Crown-Marsh NCD
• Mid Cambridge NCD

Cambridge Citizens' Committee on Civic Unity (Application Deadline 2-13-23)
The mission of the City of Cambridge Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity is to foster fairness, equity, unity, appreciation, and mutual understanding across all people and entities in Cambridge. The Committee works to provide opportunities for constructive discussions and community events regarding race, class, religion, gender, abilities, and sexual orientation, through recognizing and raising awareness of historic, existing, and potential civic issues; providing opportunities for honest dialogue and engagement; and by building bridges across communities to better understand and connect with one another.

Application Process

Applications to serve on any of these committees can be submitted to City Manager Yi-An Huang using the City’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting the respective committee(s) of interest.  A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.  Please note the application deadlines for the respective committees listed above.

For questions about the application process, please contact Francesca Gaines in the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or fgaines@cambridgema.gov.