- Home
- Your Government
- Boards & Commissions
- Current Vacancies
Current Vacancies
BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS VACANCIES
If you have questions, please contact the County Council office at 360-778-5010 or the County Executive's office at 360-778-5200.
(last updated 9/14/2022)
County Council & County Executive Expectations for Boards and Commissions
Open Government Training
Please see how to apply
| Council-appointed and Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed vacancies
Appointments made by the County Council |
|---|
| Mail Applications to:
County Council Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Ste 105
Bellingham, WA 98225
For more information: 360-778-5010 |
| Executive-appointed vacancies Appointments made by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council |
|---|
| Mail Applications to:
Executive's Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Ste 108
Bellingham, WA 98225
For more information: 360-778-5200 |
ACME/VANZANDT FLOOD CONTROL SUBZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies, 4-year terms. Applicants must live within the subzone boundary. The Committee is an integral part of the program reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for flood control, discusses and recommends budget appropriation, and is a liaison with the public at meetings. The Committee has special meetings throughout the year as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed
4 Vacancies. Positions are for agricultural producers, agricultural processing industry and citizen with expertise in agricultural programs. A representative position for Whatcom Family Farmers is also vacant. This committee assists in the implementation of numerous policies and tasks relating to protecting and enhancing the long-term viability of agriculture. The thirteen members of the AAC meet monthly from October through April and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy - position is for behavioral health professional. The Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Whatcom County Health Department, advising on general priorities for behavioral health programs, including substance use disorders and mental health services. The board membership is composed of residents who reflect minority groups and the diversity within the community. Meets on a quarterly basis; three-year term. Executive-appointed.
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. The committee assists the county in the planning, funding, development and implementation of facilities and programs that will result in the increased safety and use of bicycle and pedestrian travel as a significant and beneficial mode of transportation and recreation. Meets monthly and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.
CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING TASK FORCE
6 Vacancies. Three partial terms ending 1/31/2023. Three partial terms ending 1/31/2025. Applicants must represent at least one of the following experiences: community members from under-represented communities; community action agency, non-profit housing organization or social service agency; faith community; private school, home school, higher education or child care provider; medical and behavioral health care provider serving young children and families; community members with experience caring for children such as parent, foster parent, grandparent, or guardian; private business, corporation, or philanthropic organization. The Task Force will continually review Whatcom governmental impacts on children and families, and make specific recommendations for improvements for all departments. The Task Force will consider input from diverse families throughout Whatcom County and evidence-based and promising practices and report on and make recommendations to County Council, Executive, and other appropriate officials regarding implementation of recommendations in the Whatcom Working Toward Well-being: An Action Plan for County Government (Action Plan) as adopted on February 4, 2020. Council-appointed. Please submit applications by September 30, 2022.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
1 Vacancy - applicant must have been a resident of Whatcom County for the past two years and cannot hold a salaried public office. The Commission creates and administers the rules and regulations for personnel administration in the County Sheriff's office. The Commission shall do practical testing for persons to determine the capacity to perform duties that a person may be appointed to perform. The Commission shall investigate, report on, and hold hearings on all matters regarding the administration of personnel. The Commission shall determine appeals or complaints respecting the allocation of personnel positions. Six year term. Executive-appointed.
CLIMATE IMPACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 vacancy, partial term expiring January 31, 2023. Prefer previous work or educational experience in subjects including climate change, renewable energy development, energy conservation, energy sector, waste reduction and recycling, farming, food security, land use planning, municipal government and flood mitigation and planning. The Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC) provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council and Executive on issues related to the preparation and adaptation for, and the prevention and mitigation of, impacts of climate change. The key focus of the committee is building climate resilience in Whatcom County through mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaptation to a changing climate. The CIAC meets on the third Thursday of every month (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) and may include 1 to 2 smaller working group meetings per month. Council-appointed. Deadline for applications to this position is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM (CEP) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. This committee provides oversight and evaluation of the Conservation Easement Program for Whatcom County. The program enhances the protection of the County's farmland, forestland, and ecological areas, enhances the long-term viability of agricultural and forestry enterprises within the County and provides public benefit by retaining properties in permanent resource use. Members meet monthly, as needed and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC)
4 Vacancies. Applicants must have professional expertise that relates to development standards. The TAC (1) reviews and recommends, for County Executive consideration, all proposed new, and proposed revisions to, Whatcom County Development Standards, and (2) hears and recommends, for subsequent County Executive consideration, appeals to Technical Administrator Final Decisions. The TAC operates to ensure compliance with land use regulations and comprehensive plans. Seven members meet as needed and serve a maximum of two 2-year terms. Executive-appointed.
DRAYTON HARBOR SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
2 vacancies, 1 position is a 4-year term. 1 position is a partial term ending 1/31/2025. Members must have a direct interest in the shellfish protection district. Duties are to advise the County Council on the proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District. Meets quarterly. Council-appointed.
FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Any person interested in serving on the advisory committee may be appointed as an alternate for a term of six years. Alternate members shall be notified of each meeting and are encouraged to attend.
Committee assists and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in performing flood damage repairs, maintenance and improvements, and minimizing future flood damage through prevention and management on the Nooksack River, its watershed, and the other watersheds within Whatcom County. Meets the second Thursday of the month or as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed
FOOD SYSTEM COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. Position is export sales farming rep. The committee’s purpose is to draft, implement, provide oversight for, and regularly update a county-wide food system plan to strengthen our local and regional food system. Nine members meet monthly and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.
FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
4 vacancies, Partial or 4-year terms. (Small forest landowner position is a partial term ending 1/31/2026. Forest products manufacturer position is a partial term ending 1/31/2023.) Applicants must represent one of the following: a small forest landowner, a forest harvester, forest products manufacturer or a citizen with forestry expertise. The Forestry Advisory Committee review issues that affect the forestry industry and makes recommendations to the Whatcom County Council. The committee also provides a forum for all sectors of the forestry community to contribute to discussions on the future of forestry in Whatcom County. Meets monthly as needed. Council-appointed.
HORTICULTURE PEST AND DISEASE BOARD
1 Vacancy, 2-year term. The Board is created to enable Whatcom County to more effectively control and prevent the spread of horticultural pests and diseases. Members shall be residents of the county, shall own land within the county and shall be engaged in the primary and commercial production of a horticultural product or products. The Board shall have the following powers and duties. 1. Receive complaints, 2. Inspect 3. Enforce 4. Employ persons and purchase goods and equipment as necessary, 5. Educate the public, and 6. Administrate. Meets quarterly. Council-appointed.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WHATCOM COUNTY
1 Vacancy. The Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners is responsible for local policymaking, administration and planning of programs furthering the Authority's mission to offer opportunities for people to thrive by ensuring access to quality, affordable homes. The Board of Commissioners meets the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm, at the Housing Authority's Administrative office at 208 Unity Street in Bellingham. Commissioners serve five-year terms. This vacancy may be either an At-Large or Resident Commissioner (client) position. Executive-appointed.
MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. Applicant position is for individual with economic interest. The Committee, guided by sound science and the needs of the Northwest Strait marine ecosystem, and consideration for the citizens of Whatcom County, will address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. The committee will build awareness of issues, and gather support for remedies. Members meet monthly on the first Thursday and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.
OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
5 Vacancies, 1 current member eligible to reapply, 4-year terms. The Open Space Advisory Committee advises the County Assessor in implementing assessment guidelines as established by the State Department of Revenue, for the assessment of open space, farms and agricultural lands, and timber lands. Meets annually. Council-appointed.
POINT ROBERTS COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies. At-Large Citizen positions. The committee was created to provide advice and recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding needs and issues specific to the Point Roberts community. Members meet monthly and serve a two-year term. Executive-appointed.
5 vacancies, 4-year terms. Members must have a direct interest in the shellfish protection district. Duties are to advise the County Council on the proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District. Meets quarterly. Council-appointed.
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy, 3-year term. Applicant must represent the agriculture industry. No two representatives can be from the same company or public interest group. The committee provides ongoing public input and advice to Whatcom County on solid waste management issues. Generally meets quarterly on Thursday evenings, but meeting schedule and frequency subject to change upon committee approval. Council-appointed.
SUMAS/EVERSON/NOOKSACK FLOOD CONTROL SUBZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy, Partial term ending 1/31/2025. Applicants must live within the subzone boundary. The Committee is an integral part of the program reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for flood control, discusses and recommends budget appropriation, and is a liaison with the public at meetings. The Committee has special meetings throughout the year as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed.
SURFACE MINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies, 4-year terms
- 1 vacancy for a representative of potable domestic groundwater supply (preferably a public water system representative or private well owner)
- 1 vacancy for a representative of agriculture
Committee advises the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department and the Whatcom County Council on implementing a surface mining regulatory program consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Committee has been inactive, but may reactivate to consider the mineral resource lands section of the Comprehensive Plan in 2015. Meets as needed. Council-appointed.
WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies:
- 1 member with technical expertise in wildlife and habitat management or current or past professional experience such as, but not limited to, at least one of the following: wetlands manager, wildlife biologist, population biologist, natural resources manager, watershed scientist, conservation specialist, forestry protection, and tribal representative.
- 1 general member. Agriculture or land development representatives encouraged to apply.
Term ends December 31, 2022. The committee advises the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department staff and the Whatcom County Council on the value of wildlife and habitat management issues as they relate to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, with the goal of integrating wildlife management and protection into the community planning process. Council-appointed.