Get involved in our community: Here are the open positions on councils, committees and advisory boards 

Thurston County, Port of Olympia and the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater announced several open positions on councils, committees and advisory boards. One of these might be your opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of our communities. 

Here's a list of all of the current opportunities, along with links to apply or for more information. 

Thurston County

The Thurston County Board of Health (BoH) seeks three community members able to serve a three-year term and could commit to eight to ten, two-hour meetings per year. BoH handles public health policy and program development efforts for the Public Health and Social Services Department.

Interested applicants may file an application through an email before noon on Wednesday, November 22, to be considered.

The Thurston County Treatment Sales Tax Advisory Committee (TST) is also looking for volunteer members who can commit to making recommendations related to funds for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment assistance.

Thurston County residents interested in joining the committee may send an application by accessing this link or email the TST Program Manager at TST@co.thurston.wa.us before noon on Friday, December 1.

Interested applicants for any of the county board, commission, and committees may submit an application by checking this link regularly for other available positions and connecting with the contact persons for each committee.

Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee

The Port of Olympia is really the port of Thurston County.  It has operations throughout the county.

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee serves as the citizen arm of the Port of Olympia Commission and develops recommendations on matters assigned to them by the Port Commission. 

The committee is looking for two additional committee members, which would bring its member count to 17.

Committee members meet every third Thursday of the month and may serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms.

Applicants must be a resident of Thurston County. Those looking to apply may submit their applications through this site. 

Olympia

Olympia is currently accepting applications for various advisory committees. These committees allow residents to share insights, address key issues, develop recommendations, and give community-based advice to the city council. Applications are open until December 15, 2023, at 5 p.m.

The following 22 positions are open on various Olympia committees and advisory boards to be filled:

• Arts Commission seeks applicants for three open positions. The Arts Commission advises the city council on policies and programs that support local arts and culture. It seeks individuals interested in all aspects of the arts, particularly with a holistic perspective on the arts in Olympia.
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) seeks applicants for two vacant positions. It seeks members with unique perspectives on walking and biking in Olympia and actively engages in these activities.
• Cultural Access Advisory Board seeks one applicant to fill a vacant position. As mandated by RCW 36.160.060, the Board aims to represent a diversity of sectors, including arts, culture, heritage, science, business, and education, to ensure a balanced representation and serve communities, particularly youth and traditionally underserved populations.
• Design Review seeks two applicants to fill vacant positions on the nine-member board. As outlined in city code, the board aims to include at least two licensed architects and seven residents who live or work within city limits. It looks to represent a diversity of expertise in fields like architecture, building design, landscape architecture, urban design, and city planning.
• Heritage Commission seeks four applicants, who have interest and knowledge in historic preservation. As the city code outlines, the commission aims to include professionals from fields like history, architecture, architectural history, planning, archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, and landscape architecture.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) requires its members to have a keen interest in Olympia's park system and recreation programs and be able to provide input on proposed policies, plans, and programming. Three positions are open.
• Planning Commission. Three positions are available. It seeks members who have good listening skills, respects different opinions and perspectives, have a good understanding of the committee's role in city government as well as knowledge of community issues and familiarity with local laws and procedures governing the committee's actions, and be able to evaluate alternatives considering the broader impacts of decisions on the community.
• Social Justice and Equity Commission. One position is available. The commission seeks a member who lives or works in Olympia and is committed to attending meetings and fulfilling additional duties. They should embody various forms of diversity, possess integrity, be knowledgeable or willing to learn about discrimination and social justice, be interested in city policies, and demonstrate leadership experience, regardless of sector.
• Utility Advisory Committee. One position is available. A prospective member of the UAC should demonstrate an interest in promoting fair and equitable utility services and rates for all Olympia customers, while having knowledge of waste reduction practices, financial matters, climate change, and programs assisting low-income customers in Olympia
• Use of Force Events Board – Two vacancies.

Olympia offers stipends to members of its advisory committees. Committee members receive $25 per meeting attended, while low-income certified members are eligible for stipends of $50 per meeting.

To learn more about the application process and requirements, visit the city's official website at olympiawa.gov/advisory.

Interested community members may fill out the online application at https://form.jotform.com/232136194135148

Olympia School District 

The Olympia School District (OSD) is seeking students, staff, and community members who are interested to formulate policies and negotiate with the Olympia Police Department for the School Safety Citizens Advisory Committee.

The committee seeks 10 adults and 10 students. It aims to select two students each from Olympia High School and Capital High School, one from both Avanti High and the Olympia Regional Learning Academy and one from each of the district's four middle schools.

Adult members of the committee will comprise two OSD Board Directors (currently Scott Clifthorne and Talauna Reed), four OSD employees, and four OSD family/community members.

Interested applicants should complete an online application (available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese) before Monday, October 26, 11 p.m.

Lacey

The City of Lacey is inviting civic-minded residents to take an active role in shaping the community's future by applying for two key positions on its Parks, Culture and Recreation Board and Planning Commission. 

The Parks, Culture and Recreation Board, tasked with advising the Lacey City Council on recreation facilities, open spaces, and cultural programming, is currently accepting applications for a term set to conclude on November 11, 2026. 

Similarly, the Planning Commission has an immediate vacancy to fill an unexpired term. Applicants for both departments must be residents of the City of Lacey to be eligible. 

Both vacancies are open until filled. For interested applicants, please submit an online application with a cover letter.

Tumwater

Tumwater currently has six vacant positions across five commissions and advisory boards. Prospective applicants can mail their application form and a letter of interest to Mayor Debbie Sullivan at Tumwater City Hall on 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98501.

• Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is actively looking for one commissioner. The commission is responsible for administering Tumwater’s civil service rules, which apply to the full-time non-support employees of the police and fire departments. The commission also directs recruitment, testing, appointments, disciplinary actions, appeals, and hearings of the employees in the two departments. 

The commission meets every second Thursday of the month. Commissioners serve six-year terms. 

Applicants may process their applications through this site.

• Planning Commission

The Planning Commission has one vacant commission member position. The commission develops recommendations to the city council in matters relating to land use and the city’s comprehensive plan update.

The commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Commission members serve four-year terms. 

Those interested may direct their questions to the  Community Development Department at cdd@ci.tumwater.wa.us or (360) 754-4180.

• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

Hotel and motel owners in Tumwater pay a lodging tax, the revenue from which the city uses to support tourism-related activities. Each year, organizations seeking lodging tax funding submit grant applications to the Advisory Committee. The committee reviews applications and develops funding recommendations for the Tumwater City Council's consideration. The committee has one vacant position, specifically for a representative from the businesses.

Inquiries can be made through lodgingtax@ci.tumwater.wa.us or by dialing (360) 754-4120.

• Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission has one vacant commission member position. The commission acts as the city council’s advisory body in matters relating to the city’s history and historical preservation. The commission is also responsible for maintaining the city’s register of historic places.

The commission meets every third Thursday of each month. Commission members serve three-year terms. 

Those looking to apply must have a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation. Applicants may send their questions to Parks & Recreation Director Chuck Denney at cdenney@ci.tumwater.wa.us or (360) 754-4160.

• Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee

The Barnes Lake Management District is a taxing district of the communities along the shore of Barnes Lake. Its steering committee advises city council about activities that ensures the health and quality of the lake, while balancing the recreational and aesthethic needs of the people residing along the the lake.

The steering committee currently has two vacant committee member positions for those who wants to represent the Barnes Lake Condominium Association.

Those interested may direct their inquiries to Dan Smith, Water Resources and Sustainability Director Dan Smith at desmith@ci.tumwater.wa.us or (360) 754-4140.