Conservation Commission, Urban Forestry Commission, Jobs Creation and Retention Fund Board of Trustees, Condominium Review Board, and Human Rights Commission are accepting applications

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on essential boards and commissions appointed by the mayor. All new board and commission members must be approved by the City Council. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. There are currently 15 open opportunities, as follows:

1. Conservation Commission

Open Position: One

Term: 3 years

Availability: Immediate

The City of Somerville is currently seeking applicants for one open position on the Somerville Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission is devoted to preserving and protecting Somerville’s natural environment with an emphasis on several specific areas: wetlands, open space, and community gardens. The key responsibility of members is to protect the city’s wetlands and rivers via their authority to administer and enforce the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Rivers Protection Act. In addition, the Commission plays an important role as a sounding board for open space planning and open space initiatives. The city’s community gardens program, which offers gardening plots to residents, is also overseen by the Commission.

The Commission meets monthly, typically on the fourth Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and conducts occasional site visits during the week.

Experience in the following area is strongly preferred: civil engineering with expertise in erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and/or environmental permitting.

Applicants with experience in any of the following areas may also be considered: Wetlands Protection Act and regulation implementation, wetlands biology, hydrology, geology, and/or resource management.

Applicants with other relevant or transferable experience are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants interested in volunteering to serve on the Commission are invited to submit a resume and cover letter, as well as any relevant supplemental material by email to Conservation Agent Malik Drayton at mdrayton@somervillema.gov. All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30. Questions may be submitted to Mr. Drayton at mdrayton@somervillema.gov.

2. Urban Forestry Committee
   Open Positions: One position with landscape architecture experience; one youth member
   Term: 3 years
   Availability: Immediate

   The City of Somerville is currently seeking two applicants for the Urban Forestry Committee: a member of the public with expertise in landscape architecture and a youth member (ages 14-17) for the Committee. The Committee’s input supports and guides policies and plans currently being reviewed and advanced by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and the Department of Public Works. The Committee advises the city on matters related to the management and maintenance of all existing and new trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways. Members may also review issues related to the health, effective maintenance, and protection of existing trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways; update information in the tree inventory; support public education and outreach on urban forestry; and provide comments during any city permitting review processes.

The Committee meets virtually once per month, generally on the third Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Committee may occasionally be asked to develop educational materials, prepare and conduct community presentations, attend site visits, and/or support city staff during Arbor Day celebrations.

Residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Committee are invited to send a letter or an e-mail of interest along with their resume to the Urban Forestry & Landscape Planner, Dr. Vanessa Boukili (vboukili@somervillema.gov). All applications must be received by 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9. For more information, please contact Dr. Boukili at vboukili@somervillema.gov.

3. Jobs Creation and Retention Fund Board of Trustees
   Open Positions: One local business representative position
   Term: 3 years
   Availability: Immediate

   The City of Somerville is seeking to fill a vacancy for the designated local business representative seat on the Jobs Creation and Retention Trust (JCRT) Board of Trustees. Responsibilities will include managing the JCRT fund, working with the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) staff to implement strategies outlined in the workforce development strategic plan, identifying target industry sectors and resident demographics for job training programs, soliciting project proposals, and more.

Anyone from the local business community who would like to volunteer to serve on the Board is invited to send a statement of interest to Economic Development Specialist Ben Sommer at bsommer@somervillema.gov by noon on Friday, October 30.

4. Condominium Review Board
   Open Position: One alternate member position
   Term: 3 years
   Availability: Immediate

   The city seeks a Somerville resident for the Condominium Review Board. The Board is charged with the enforcement of condominium conversions and the removal of rental units from the market. The Board is responsible for conducting hearings and for surveying and updating information concerning rental units in the city. The Board meets monthly, typically on the last or second to last Monday of the month, at 6:00 p.m.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and any relevant supplemental material by email to Hannah Carrillo at hcarrillo@somervillema.gov. Questions may also be submitted to hcarrillo@somervillema.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A $300 per month stipend is provided for this position.

5. Human Rights Commission

Open Positions: 10

Term: 3 years

Availability: Immediate

The City of Somerville seeks residents from a broad cross-section of the city’s population to serve as Commissioners on the Human Rights Commission (HRC). The HRC membership strives to reflect the social, cultural, economic, and racial diversity of the city. Commissioners must be current residents of Somerville and able to commit to at least five hours of service per month. The HRC meets every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The Commission looks at a variety of human rights issues affecting residents and seeks to protect and promote constitutional and civil rights, including raising awareness of human rights issues, discrimination, and bias.

If you would like to volunteer to serve on the HRC, send a statement of interest to Nency Salamoun, the city’s Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at nsalamoun@somervillma.gov. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. For more information, contact Ms. Salamoun at 617-625-6600 x2323 or at nsalamoun@somervillma.gov.

The City of Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings should contact Nency Salamoun at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.