Volunteer Opportunities – Cambridge Boards & Commissions
Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies: February-March 2026
Feb 24, 2026 – Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process for a variety of topics.
The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the new Combined Sewer Overflow Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee, Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board, and Peace Commission.
Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.
Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee (Application Deadline March 23)
This new advisory committee will help guide the City of Cambridge in its multifaceted work to mitigate flooding and improve the water quality of our nearby rivers and streams. This volunteer committee will advise on the planning and implementation of programs, infrastructure projects, and other initiatives related to stormwater quantity, stormwater quality, sewer separation, wastewater, and more.
The term length is five years. Meetings may be held in person, virtually, and/or hybrid. In-person meetings will be held at the Department of Public Works, 147 Hampshire Street, Cambridge. Ideally, the Committee will be comprised of residents, technical experts and representatives from key stakeholder groups. Cambridge residents are preferred.
If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact?Kristen Kelleher at kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
Learn more at Members Sought for New CSO Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee.
Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board (Application Deadline: March 23)
The Advisory Board is responsible for the implementation of the updated?Fresh Reservation Pond Master Plan, a long-term plan for Fresh Pond Reservation lands, including resource management and usage policies for repair and protection of the Reservation’s?natural water and upland resources.
Completed in 2000 and adopted by the Cambridge City Council in 2001, the Fresh Pond Reservation Master Plan was the culmination of over two years of work by the original advisory committee made up of citizens of Cambridge and City officials.
The term length is three years. Meetings are quarterly and held in person at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility, which is located at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway in Cambridge. Cambridge residents are preferred.
If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact?David Kaplan at dkaplan@cambridgema.gov.
Peace Commission (Application Deadline March 23)
The Peace Commission promotes peace and social justice within Cambridge and in the wider world. It links peace groups, social justice efforts, anti-violence coalitions and the municipal government. The Commission builds community by celebrating local people and efforts with programs and events, and by organizing community forums on issues affecting the community.
The term length is three years. Meetings may be held in-person, virtually, and/or hybrid. In-person meetings will be held at 689 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge. Cambridge residents are preferred.
If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact?Saffana Anwar at sanwar@cambridgema.gov.
Members Sought for New CSO Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee
Feb 19, 2026 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang seeks volunteers to serve on a new Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee. This new advisory committee will help guide the City in its multifaceted work to mitigate flooding and improve the water quality of our nearby rivers and streams. This volunteer committee will advise on the planning and implementation of programs, infrastructure projects, and other initiatives related to stormwater quantity, stormwater quality, sewer separation, wastewater, and more.
Role of the CSO Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee:
- Serve as an informed group of community stakeholders to advise on capital improvement investments specific to the City’s wastewater and stormwater systems.
- Assist the City with reporting back to the Cambridge community on ongoing and future planning, design, design, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects related to stormwater management, combined sewer overflow control, and flood mitigation.
- Seeking feedback from local experts to guide significant infrastructure projects and financial investments for decades to come.
What is the term of appointment?
- Members will be appointed for a 5-year term and may be reappointed for a maximum of two (2) terms.
When will the advisory committee meet?
- It is anticipated that the group will meet at least quarterly starting in early 2026, with the option to meet more frequently as needed for specific work and projects.
- Committee meetings may be held in-person, virtually, and/or hybrid; with most meetings anticipated to be in-person. All meetings will be open to the public. The date and time of the meetings will be established in collaboration with selected applicants.
- Members are expected to attend most meetings, and to engage in any committee-related work required between meetings.
What is the advisory committee composition?
- The Committee will consist of 11 to 15 members appointed by the City Manager, representing a diverse set of interests and specific subject matter expertise. This will help ensure that a range of perspectives are heard and provide multiple channels for reporting back to the larger community.
- The Committee will be comprised of residents, technical experts, and representatives from stakeholder groups.
What kind of skills and abilities do you need to effectively serve on the CSO Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee?
- Cambridge residents with subject matter expertise in the following areas preferred:
- Finance, particularly an understanding of municipal financing and/or debt servicing
- Hydrology and hydraulics
- Water quality
- Public health
- Construction
- Community relations, outreach, and engagement
- Environmental law
- Project management or strategic planning
- Systems thinking
How to Apply. Use the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting it in the list of Current Vacancies. A letter of interest summarizing your expertise and how you will contribute to the Committee should be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is March 23, 2026.
Cambridge Seeking Community Members for the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women
Dec 3, 2025 (updated Feb 20) – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women.
The Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) works to advance equity for women and girls in Cambridge by assessing the shifting needs of women in our community and working collaboratively to find creative solutions through advocacy, programs, and community engagement. CCSW often works in partnership and collaborates with other City departments, local organizations, and the various communities that make up Cambridge.
CCSW currently meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm in person. Members must attend monthly meetings and take part in projects, events, and programs as needed. CCSW is committed to accommodating applicants with scheduling conflicts, including single parents, those with evening work commitments, etc.
The members of the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women serve as volunteers for one, two, or three-year terms.
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 9, 2026, but it is apparently still open.
For more information, contact womenscommission@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3290. Learn more about the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women at https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/womenscommission.
Applications to serve can be submitted using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.
The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
