Serving on a Board or Commission

Members of the Berkeley community can participate in local government by applying to serve on a board or commission. Members of boards and commissions advise the City Council on a wide variety of subjects by making recommendations on important policy matters.

Eligibility

Almost all boards and commissions require that commissioners reside in Berkeley.

A few commissions require specific experience in a technical field or have other qualifying criteria. These commissions have specific application forms listed in the application section below.

City of Berkeley employees are not eligible to serve as commissioners.

How to apply

Review the Commissioner Roster to see which commissions currently have vacancies. If the word “Vacant” appears in the name column of a commission roster, that means a position on that commission is available.

To apply to serve on a commission, complete an application form. For most commissions, use the general application form. A few commissions have specific application forms which you should use instead of the general form:

• Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts
• Mental Health Commission
• Community Health Commission Application
• Cannabis Commission Application
• Fair Campaign Practices Commission Application
• Board of Library Trustees Supplemental Questionnaire (in addition to general form)
• Alternate Commissioner Application
• Homeless Services Panel of Experts
• Reimagining Public Safety Task Force
• Police Accountability Board

Send the completed application form to the City Clerk:

• Submit by email to clerk@cityofberkeley.info
• Submit in person or by mail at 2180 Milvia Street 1st floor, Berkeley, CA 94704

The City Clerk will send your application to Councilmembers, who will reach out to you to request an interview as needed.

Role and responsibilities of commissioners

Commissioners are required to take an oath of office and attend meetings on a regular basis.  There are typically a minimum of ten meetings per year.

Most commission members are required to disclose certain financial interests, such as investments, businesses, rental properties, and more. Commissioners will need to file Statements of Economic Interest upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office.

Most commissioners have a term minimum: they cannot be replaced before December 1 of the year in which they were appointed. Most commissions also have a term maximum: after eight years of service they must take a two-year break before being eligible to serve again.

For more details about the role and responsibilities of commissioners, read the Commissioners' Manual and watch the Commissioner’s Training Video (a captioned version is also available).