Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process across a variety of topics.

The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship, Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, and Planning Board. The deadline to apply for the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, and Planning Boar vacancies is Monday, September 21, while the deadline for the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship has been extended to September 14.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/Apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (Application Deadline Extended: September 14)

The Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship (CIRC) is dedicated to welcoming, informing, connecting, and supporting Cambridge’s immigrant community. Established under Chapter 2.123 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the Commission collaborates with other City departments, community partners, and individuals that support immigrant rights and citizenship.

The Commission consists of 11 members -- Cambridge residents who represent the diversity of Cambridge – that are appointed to 3-year terms. Preferred applicants are knowledgeable about immigrant rights and citizenship and/or have lived experience as an immigrant to the United States.

CIRC informs the City Manager and the City Council on issues affecting the equal status of immigrants in education, employment, healthcare, housing, political, social and legal spheres. It also designs and implements programs that promote the equality of all immigrants in the City, while developing recommendations and suggested policy to the City Manager and the City Council to promote and ensure immigrant rights and citizenship. Commissioners are expected to participate and volunteer for outreach and other community events.

Meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m., though the meeting schedule may be reassessed to accommodate Commissioners’ needs.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Carolina Almonte at 617-349-4396 or calmonte@cambridgema.gov.

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board (Application Deadline: September 21)

The CCPD Advisory Board works to increase access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for people with disabilities. The Commission raises awareness about disability issues and promotes equal opportunities for people with a range of abilities, including physical, mental, and sensory. CCPD also provides information, referrals, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals and their families, employers, public agencies, businesses and private non-profit organizations. CCPD Advisory Board members work with other board members and office staff to carry out the CCPD Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.96).

The CCPD Advisory Board, which has 11 members who serve as volunteers for three-year terms, currently meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Members must attend monthly meetings and also take part in Working Groups and work on projects as needed.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact  CCPD@cambridgema.gov, call 617-349-4692 (voice), or 711 (relay).

Planning Board (Application Deadline: September 21)

The Planning Board is a group of Cambridge residents who make recommendations and decisions about urban development on behalf of the City of Cambridge. The Planning Board meets regularly in a public forum to discuss the City’s urban planning objectives, and apply them in the following ways:

• Reviewing major urban development proposals, granting certain types of special permits when they are needed, and putting conditions on special permit approval. The Planning Board reviews about 20-25 special permit cases each year;
• Reviewing proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, which sets rules for urban development, and making recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Board reviews about 10-15 proposed zoning amendments each year;
• Making recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) on some cases. The BZA is a different board that grants some special permits and variances;
• Discussing other City of Cambridge planning efforts.

The Planning Board, which has 10 members who serve as volunteers for five-year terms, typically meets one-two times in the evening every month virtually or in a hybrid format.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Swaathi Joseph in the Community Development Department at 617-349-4668, email sjoseph@cambridgema.gov or visit www.cambridgema.gov/planningboard.