Current Board and Commission Vacancies: Committee on Public Planting, LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing Task Force, Affordable Housing Trust, Transit Advisory Committee, Public Art Commission, Community Benefits Advisory Committee, and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

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:

Committee on Public Planting (Application Deadline 5-1-23)
The Committee on Public Planting is charged with the responsibility of promoting and improving the quality and diversity of plantings throughout all areas of Cambridge. This includes reviewing planting plans for new public work in the city; advising the city on effective maintenance of public plantings; supporting the role of the Urban Forestry Division; and encouraging interest in public plantings in all neighborhoods.

Cambridge LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing Task Force. (Application Deadline 5-8-23)
The Task Force will consider opportunities for new or revised practices and procedures to improve LGBTQ+ persons’ access to, and inclusion in, existing housing, and 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.

Affordable Housing Trust (Application Deadline 5-1-23)
The Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust works to expand and protect affordable housing opportunities in Cambridge. The Trust administers and oversees most City funds allocated to create and preserve affordable rental and homeownership housing, and to support housing programs that address the city’s affordable housing needs. The Trust also provides direct financial assistance to income-eligible families seeking to purchase affordable homes and has helped thousands of families and individuals afford to remain in the Cambridge community. 

Transit Advisory Committee (Application Deadline 5-1-23) 
The Transit Advisory Committee advises on city and state projects, positions and policies on transit service planning, scheduling, infrastructure modernization, expansion and long-term sustainable funding for transit. Committee members help advance an agenda for a robust public transit system for all who live, work, and visit Cambridge, including the transit services provided by the MBTA and EZRide, among others.

Cambridge Public Art Commission (Application Deadline 4-24-23)
The Cambridge Public Art Commission helps guide the implementation of the Public Art Ordinance and the Art Gifts and Donation Policy, and advises on the overall direction of the City of Cambridge’s Public Art Program. The Commission brings its collective expertise to bear on discussions regarding the various program areas of the public art program, such as acquisition and deaccession, project planning, maintenance, conservation, educational programming, and the exhibitions in Gallery 344. The Commission reviews every percent-for-art project from artists’ proposals to final design. PAC approval is required before a project can go into fabrication.

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) (Application Deadline 4-3-23)
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is an independent public body focused on publicly-beneficial real estate projects and infrastructure investment within the City of Cambridge, and is committed to implementing imaginative, creative initiatives to achieve social equity and a balanced economic ecosystem. The CRA works in the public trust to bring a human dimension to development, improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors. Its goal is to balance economic vibrancy, housing, and open space, to create sustainable communities through new and revitalized development. Committed to implementing imaginative, creative initiatives to achieve social equity and a balanced economic ecosystem, the CRA works on projects throughout Cambridge, often in partnership with the City or with other organizations.

Community Benefits Advisory Committee (Application Deadline 4-3-23)
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee is a volunteer group of community members who work together to make recommendations to the City Manager for the approval and awarding of grant agreements with nonprofit organizations for the provision of Community Benefits. Community Benefits may be programs or services provided by nonprofit organizations that directly benefit Cambridge residents. The role of the Committee is to solicit and evaluate applications from local non-profit providers for the provision of services that are consistent with the Cambridge City Council’s Funding Priorities. The Committee is also responsible for establishing rules, regulations, and guidelines to provide for the proper administration and implementation of Community Benefit funding.

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.