Youth Opportunities on City Committees and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is seeking City residents between the ages of 16 and 22 to volunteer as members of the Community Integration Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission and Sustainable Yakima Committee. There are two positions available on Community Integration and Parks & Recreation and one position available on the Sustainable Yakima Committee. 

The youth positions available on the Community Integration Committee, are for a two-year term. Applicants must live within Yakima city limits and be between the ages of 16-22 at the time of appointment. Appointments shall be made to ensure that varied community perspectives are represented and, to the extent possible, reflect the current demographics of the City, including consideration of historically underrepresented communities.  The purpose and intent of the Community Integration Committee is to advise the Yakima City Council on ways to improve community engagement; diversify the city government and workforce; provide additional review of policies, ordinances and resolutions if requested; and give a voice to all Yakima residents.

Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission must live within Yakima city limits. Youth members must be between 16-22 years of age at the time of appointment in order to be eligible to serve a two-year term.  The Commission advises the City Council and Director of Parks and Recreation concerning the formulation of policy, plans and programs to maintain and operate City parks and carry out recreation programs.

The youth position on the Sustainable Yakima Committee is a four-year term and applicants must be between 16-22 years of age at the time of appointment in order to be eligible to serve. There shall be a preference, but not a requirement, for committee members to have expertise in climate science, engineering, energy management, water conservation, planning, environmental policy-making, environmental law, economics, solid waste management, forestry, systems analysis and/or communications. A minimum of five (5) members shall be City of Yakima residents.  The remaining two members may be residents of Yakima County.

Additional information on the duties and responsibilities of each committee can be found at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/. Anyone interested in applying for openings can download an application from the City of Yakima website – https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/assets/Application-form-for-City-of-Yakima-Boards-and-Commissions.pdf

Contact City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee by phone, 575-6037, or e-mail, sonya.claartee@yakimawa.gov, for more information about current or future openings on City of Yakima boards, committees, or commissions.

It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations.