Boards & Commissions

Vacancies

Give back to the Spokane community by joining a volunteer board, commission, or committee! The following boards and commissions are currently accepting applications to fill current or upcoming vacancies. A printable version of the online application is also available.

How to Apply

Choose how to apply:

Online: Complete the online application form.
By mail: Print off an application and address your application to:
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
In person: Drop off your application at the MySpokane Customer Service counter at City Hall:
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

City Residency Required

All applicants to City boards, commissions or committees must be residents of the City of Spokane, unless the provision establishing the requirement for the appointment specifically permits or requires the appointment of a nonresident. Not sure if you live within City limits or would like to verify which Council district you live in? Use the map tool to verify your address.

Open Public Meetings & Public Records Act Training Required

As part of your appointment, you shall, within ninety (90) days of your appointment letter, complete training regarding the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. The training can be completed online through the Attorney General website. You will need to review the written material under Lesson 1 regarding open government and then watch the videos under Lesson 2, regarding Public Records Act training, and Lesson 3, regarding the Open Public Meeting Act training. Once you have completed the training, you can upload the attached certificate of training and file the certificate with the City Clerk’s Office. You may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 509.625.6350 if you have any questions.

For more information, view the Spokane Municipal Code Section Section 04.01.030 and select the specific board that interests you.

Current Vacancies

Arts Commission
The Spokane Arts Commission's purpose is promoting and enhancing the quality, accessibility, and presence of the arts in Spokane. Meeting Information: The Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at 801 W. Riverside, suite 100, Spokane WA 99201 except for December when the Commission will not meet. The Arts Commission is currently accepting applications online.
Vacancy Number	Requirements	Status	Term Length
1	City Resident	Open	3 years
2	City Resident	Open	3 years
3	City Resident	Open	3 years
4	City Resident	Open	3 years

Design Review Board
The Design Review Board is comprised of citizens and practicing professionals who represent community interests including a diversity of design and technical professions. Board members are nominated by the Mayor, appointed by City Council, and serve without compensation. The Board was established to: Improve communication and participation among developers, neighbors, and the City early in the design and siting of new development subject to design review under the Spokane Municipal Code; Ensure that projects subject to design review under the Spokane Municipal Code are consistent with adopted design guidelines and help implement the City’s comprehensive plan; Advocate for the aesthetic quality of Spokane’s public realm; Encourage design and site planning that responds to context, enhances pedestrian characteristics, considers sustainable design practices, and helps make Spokane a desirable place to live, work, and visit; Provide flexibility in the application of development standards as allowed through development standard departures; and Ensure that public facilities and projects within the City’s right-of-way: Wisely allocate the City’s resources, Serve as models of design quality. Meeting Information: The Design Review Board meets the Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Tribal Conference Room, Main Lobby, City Hall. The Design Review Board is currently accepting applications online.
Vacancy Number	Requirements	Status	Term Length
1	Landscape Architect	Open	3 years
2	Real Estate Developer	Open	3 years
3	Urban Planner	Open	3 years
4	Individual Experienced in the Building Trades	Open	3 years

Plan Commission
Mission Statement/Purpose: The Plan Commission provides advice and makes recommendations on broad planning goals and policies and other matters as requested by the City Council. The minutes from the Plan Commission meetings and their findings and recommendations are available on this website. The Plan Commission provides opportunities for public participation in City planning by providing through its own membership an informed opinion to complement the work of the City's elected officials and administrative departments. They also solicit public comment on planning issues of City-wide importance or of a substantial community concern, evaluating those comments received. Assistance of experts and others with knowledge or ideas to contribute to City planning are secured as well. The Plan Commission holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the following matters: Amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and the development regulations implementing the Comprehensive Plan Changes in the corporate limits of the City, including the land use designations and zoning to become effective upon the annexation of any area proposed for annexation or which might reasonably be expected to be annexed by the City at any future time. Meeting date, time and location: The Plan Commission meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Council Briefing Center, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., in Spokane City Hall.
Vacancy Number	Requirements	Status	Term Length
1	City Resident	Open	4 years

Plan Commission

Mission Statement/Purpose: The Plan Commission provides advice and makes recommendations on broad planning goals and policies and other matters as requested by the City Council. The minutes from the Plan Commission meetings and their findings and recommendations are available on this website.

The Plan Commission provides opportunities for public participation in City planning by providing through its own membership an informed opinion to complement the work of the City's elected officials and administrative departments. They also solicit public comment on planning issues of City-wide importance or of a substantial community concern, evaluating those comments received. Assistance of experts and others with knowledge or ideas to contribute to City planning are secured as well.

The Plan Commission holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the following matters:

Amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and the development regulations implementing the Comprehensive Plan
Changes in the corporate limits of the City, including the land use designations and zoning to become effective upon the annexation of any area proposed for annexation or which might reasonably be expected to be annexed by the City at any future time.

Meeting date, time and location: The Plan Commission meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Council Briefing Center, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., in Spokane City Hall.

Vacancy Number

Requirements

Status

Term Length

1

City Resident

Open

4 years

Spokane Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding issues related to human rights and unjust discrimination and the implementation of programs consistent with the needs of all residents of the City of Spokane. Meeting Information: The Spokane Human Rights Commission meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The Human Rights Commission is currently accepting applications online.
Vacancy Number	Requirements	Status	Term Length
1	Resident of District 1, under 18 (Youth Member)	Open	1 year
2	Resident of District 2, under 18 (Youth Member)	Open	1 year
3	City Resident	Open	3 years
4	City Resident	Open	3 years

Ombuds Commission
The Office of the Police Ombudsman Commission (“OPOC” or “Commission”) supervises and provides direction to the Office of the Police Ombudsman (“OPO”). The OPO and the OPOC provide impartial oversight of the Spokane Police Department (“SPD”). In that capacity, the OPOC evaluates police policies, training, and promotes best practices, and is the independent voice of the Citizens of Spokane to facilitate public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the employees of the SPD. Meeting Information: The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The Ombudsman Commission is currently accepting applications online.
Vacancy Number	Requirements	Status	Term Length
1	City Resident	Open	3 years

Ombuds Commission

The Office of the Police Ombudsman Commission (“OPOC” or “Commission”) supervises and provides direction to the Office of the Police Ombudsman (“OPO”). The OPO and the OPOC provide impartial oversight of the Spokane Police Department (“SPD”). In that capacity, the OPOC evaluates police policies, training, and promotes best practices, and is the independent voice of the Citizens of Spokane to facilitate public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the employees of the SPD.

Meeting Information: The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.

The Ombudsman Commission is currently accepting applications online.