Current Vacancies

AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
3 Vacancies –  Positions are for agricultural producers and agricultural processing industry. This committee assists in the implementation of numerous policies and tasks relating to protecting and enhancing the long-term viability of agriculture.  The thirteen members of the AAC meet monthly from October through April and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy – Current vacancy from the community of people with disabilities. The committee meets periodically to provide guidance to the County regarding making its facilities and programs accessible to those with disabilities. The committee also reviews the ADA coordinator’s complaint resolution decisions and makes necessary recommendations for improvements to accessibility. Members meet quarterly; three-year term. Executive-appointed

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy – Current vacancies are for a substance use disorder advocate and mental health recovery advocate. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Whatcom County Health Department, advising on general priorities for behavioral health programs, including substance use disorders and mental health services. The board membership is composed of residents who reflect minority groups and the diversity within the community. Meets on a quarterly basis; three-year term. Executive-appointed

BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD
2 Vacancies – The Board receives Notice of Intention, statement from city and special purpose districts for proposed changes to corporate boundaries or intent to extend services outside existing boundaries. The Board then notifies all affected governmental agencies and collects subsequent comments for possible review. Members meet bi-annually and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies, 4-year term (child care) and partial term ending 1/31/2027 (manufacturing). Applicants must represent the childcare industry or the for-profit manufacturing industry. Meets monthly. The committee advises the County Council on issues that include regulations and policies that could impact local businesses, industry, or economic development. Duties include: Review, develop, and provide recommendations on: comprehensive plans, regulations, economic development efforts and on proposals which directly impact business and economic conditions in Whatcom County; efforts to improve business conditions, environment and infrastructure; ensuring the county applies a client-focused approach to supporting businesses with regulations, permitting, and planning. County Council-appointed

CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING TASK FORCE

1 Vacancy, partial term ending 1/31/2025. Applicants must represent at least one of the following experiences: community members from under-represented communities (Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, immigrant, rural); community action agency, non-profit housing organization or social service agency; faith community; private school, home school, higher education or child care provider; medical and behavioral health care provider serving young children and families; community members with experience caring for children such as parent, foster parent, grandparent, or guardian; private business, corporation, or philanthropic organization. The Task Force will continually review Whatcom governmental impacts on children and families, and make specific recommendations for improvements for all departments. The Task Force will consider input from diverse families throughout Whatcom County and evidence-based and promising practices and report on and make recommendations to County Council, Executive, and other appropriate officials regarding implementation of recommendations in the Whatcom Working Toward Well-being: An Action Plan for County Government (Action Plan) as adopted on February 4, 2020. County Council-appointed. Deadline for additional applications to this position is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

CLIMATE IMPACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 vacancies, partial term expiring January 31, 2026 and January 31, 2027. Prefer previous work or educational experience in subjects including climate change, renewable energy development, energy conservation, energy sector, waste reduction and recycling, farming, food security, land use planning, municipal government and flood mitigation and planning. The Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC) provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council and Executive on issues related to the preparation and adaptation for, and the prevention and mitigation of, impacts of climate change. The key focus of the committee is building climate resilience in Whatcom County through mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaptation to a changing climate. The CIAC meets on the third Thursday of every month (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) and may include 1 to 2 smaller working group meetings per month. Council-appointed.  Deadline for applications to the CIAC is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM (CEP) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy - Vacancy is for a member with Expertise in Agricultural Programs. This committee provides oversight and evaluation of the Conservation Easement Program for Whatcom County. The program enhances the protection of the County's farmland, forestland, and ecological areas, enhances the long-term viability of agricultural and forestry enterprises within the County and provides public benefit by retaining properties in permanent resource use. Members meet monthly, as needed and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC)
1 Vacancy – Applicants must have professional expertise that relates to development standards. The TAC (1) reviews and recommends, for County Executive consideration, all proposed new, and proposed revisions to, Whatcom County Development Standards, and (2) hears and recommends, for subsequent County Executive consideration, appeals to Technical Administrator Final Decisions. The TAC operates to ensure compliance with land use regulations and comprehensive plans. Seven members meet on an as-needed basis and serve a maximum of two 2-year terms. Executive-appointed

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BOARD
5 Vacancies – Members shall include representatives of public, private, or voluntary agencies, representatives of local governmental units and citizens knowledgeable about developmental disabilities. The Board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Whatcom County Health Department; it provides recommendations related to services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Board members meet 4th Monday on alternating months and serve three-year terms. Executive-appointed

DRAYTON HARBOR SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
1 vacancy, partial term ending 1/31/2025. Meets quarterly. Members must have a direct interest in the shellfish protection district. Duties are to advise the County Council on the proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District. County Council-appointed

ETHICS COMMISSION
1 Vacancy, partial term ending 1/31/2025. The Ethics Commission Board receives complaints of ethics violations and otherwise administers the Code of Ethics. Executive-appointed

FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• 2 Vacancies for geographic area representative. One partial term ending 1/31/2026 and one four-year term
• Any person interested in serving on the advisory committee may be appointed as an alternate for a term of six years. Alternate members shall be notified of each meeting and are encouraged to attend.

Meets the second Thursday of the month or as needed. Committee assists and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in performing flood damage repairs, maintenance and improvements, and minimizing future flood damage through prevention and management on the Nooksack River, its watershed, and the other watersheds within Whatcom County.  Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed

FOOD SYSTEM COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy, partial term ending 1/31/2026. Position is for fishing industry rep. The committee's purpose is to draft, implement, provide oversight for, and regularly update a county-wide food system plan to strengthen our local and regional food system. Nine members meet monthly. Executive-appointed

HORTICULTURE PEST AND DISEASE BOARD
1 Vacancy. 2-year term. The Board is created to enable Whatcom County to more effectively control and prevent the spread of horticultural pests and diseases. One member shall have at least a practical knowledge of horticultural pests and diseases and the other members shall be residents of the county, shall own land within the county and shall be engaged in the primary and commercial production of a horticultural product or products, one of whom shall be engaged in the production of certified organic produce, if available. Such appointed members shall serve a term of two years. The Board shall have the following powers and duties. 1. Receive complaints, 2. Inspect 3. Enforce 4. Employ persons and purchase goods and equipment as necessary, 5. Educate the public, and 6. Administrate. Meeting schedule is to be determined. County Council-appointed 

HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
1 Vacancy - the Vacant position is for a Housing Advocate. The Housing Advisory Committee is responsible for 1) advising on all issues related to the uses of local document recording fees, 1406 funds, 1590 funds, and other related housing funds, and 2) providing guidance on the Local Plan to End Homelessness and other local planning efforts to end homelessness and create more affordable housing. Committee meets every other month; members service a three year term. Executive-appointed

JUSTICE PROJECT OVERSIGHT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies. Applicants must be a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Provider (partial term ends 1/31/2027) or a young adult aged 18-24 (term ends 1/31/2026). The Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee is created by the Whatcom County Justice Project Implementation Plan and Ordinance 2023-039. It is a subcommittee of the Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force. The JPOP Committee will monitor Task Force and County progress toward Implementation Plan goals, contribute to the Task Force annual report to the County Council, and recommend periodic updates to the plan.  Additionally, the Committee will identify metrics for performance accountability related to each plan project. County Council-appointed. Deadline for applications to the SUD Treatment Provider position is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE 
2 Vacancies – Applicant positions include Nooksack Tribe representative, and Lummi Tribe representative. The Committee, guided by sound science and the needs of the Northwest Strait marine ecosystem, and consideration for the citizens of Whatcom County, will address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. The committee will build awareness of issues, and gather support for remedies. Members meet monthly on the first Thursday and serve four-year terms. Executive-appointed 

NORTHWEST SENIOR SERVICES BOARD
3 upcoming vacancies (as of 6/30/24). Majority of board should include senior citizens representatives of local government, minority groups, and citizen, professional, and community organizations.  The board serves as advisors to the Area Agency on Aging in order to develop and enhance a comprehensive service delivery system which meets the physical, social, and psychological needs of older people. Three-year term. Executive-appointed 

OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
4 Vacancies, 4-year terms. Applicants must represent the active farming community within the county. The Open Space Advisory Committee advises the County Assessor in implementing assessment guidelines as established by the State Department of Revenue, for the assessment of open space, farms and agricultural lands, and timber lands. Meets annually. County Council-appointed.

PORTAGE BAY SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
6 vacancies, 4-year terms. One partial term ending 1/31/2025. Two positions reserved for Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe representatives. Meets quarterly. Members must have a direct interest in the shellfish protection district. Duties are to advise the County Council on the proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District. County Council-appointed

SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy, 3-year term. Meets quarterly. Applicants must represent the agriculture industry. No two committee members can be from the same company or public interest group. The committee provides ongoing public input and advice to Whatcom County on solid waste management issues. County Council-appointed. 

SUMAS/EVERSON/NOOKSACK FLOOD CONTROL SUBZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE  
1 Vacancy, 4-year term. Applicants must live within the subzone boundary. The Committee is an integral part of the program reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for flood control, discusses and recommends budget appropriation, and is a liaison with the public at meetings. The Committee has special meetings throughout the year as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed.  

SURFACE MINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
6 Vacancies, 4-year terms and 1 partial term ending 1/31/2025. Meets quarterly. No two representatives can be from the same company or public interest group. Applicant must meet one of the following requirements: Civil or geotechnical engineer with no direct or indirect financial business ties to the industry; geologist; representative of agriculture; ecologist; environmental consultant, or citizen who lives in close proximity to active mining or mineral overlay areas (partial term ending 1/31/2025). The committee provides ongoing public input and advice to Whatcom County on issues related to surface mining in Whatcom County. County Council-appointed County Council-appointed. 

WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. Partial term ending 1/31/2026. Applicant must not live or own property on Lummi Island and live in unincorporated Whatcom County. Priority given to one Lummi Nation member. The Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council and Executive on issues that affect the ongoing operations and infrastructure of ferry service to Lummi Island. The committee also provides a forum for those who depend upon Lummi Island ferry service to voice their ideas and concerns about the ferry service. County Council-appointed

WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy, partial term ending 1/31/2027. The committee will advise the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department staff and the Whatcom County Council on the value of wildlife and habitat management issues as they relate to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, with the goal of integrating wildlife management and protection into the community planning process. County Council-appointed