City boards and commissions were established for the purpose of advising the City Council and providing ongoing input into policies and issues affecting the future of the San José community.

Applications/Information/Vacancies

Visit the Application Portal for notices of Vacancies and descriptions of Boards.

Fall 2024 application period is CLOSED.  The Spring 2025 application period is OPEN. To be considered, apply by March 31, 2025. Applications may still be submitted and accepted after that deadline, but may not be included in the current recruitment.

 ***2024 Retirement Board Candidate Information: Police Nominee Vacancy***

***2024 Retirement Board Candidate Information***

Information and Application Link for the Small Business Advisory Committee

The City of San Jose invites interested members of the community to participate in the process of City Government by serving on one of several Boards and Commissions. All positions are voluntary and most appointed by the City Council. The time commitment for each board or commission varies, with some meeting on a regular schedule, while others meet on an as needed basis. Additional time obligations may include pre-meeting preparation or subcommittee attendance. Once appointed, attendance at regularly scheduled meetings is critical.

Unless otherwise stated, applicants should live within the City limits of San José and cannot be City employees. Terms may be from two to four years, unless the vacancy is due to an incumbent resigning mid-term. In that case, the appointment is to the remainder of the unexpired term. Some commissions have additional membership requirements that may require an interview by the Council Appointment Advisory Commission. All meetings are open to the public and copies of the agendas are available at least 7 days prior to any regularly scheduled meeting. 

Additional Information

• Application
• Official Roster
• Consolidated Policy Governing Boards and Commissions, Council Policy 0-4
• Policy for Posting/Processing Written Public Comment
• Code of Ethics for Officials and Employees, Council Policy 0-15
• Return to In Person Public Comments at Meetings of Legislative Bodies
• Financial Need-Based Stipend

REQUIRED BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TRAINING

Within the first year of appointment, Commissioners will be required to complete a mandatory training session covering, but not limited to, the City Charter, the San José Municipal Code Section 2.08, City Council Policies related to Boards and Commissions, City Policies and Procedures, Brown Act and Consolidated Open Government and Ethics Resolution, Statement of Economic Interest Disclosure requirements, and Parliamentary Procedures. 

• REQUIRED Boards and Commissions Training video
• Boards and Commissions Training PowerPoint Slides
• Boards and Commissions Training Quiz

The following Commissions require AB 1234 Ethics Training and AB 1661 Sexual  Harassment Prevention Training: Appeals Hearing Board, Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices, Civil Service Commission, Community Stabilization and Opportunity Pathways Fund Commission, Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, Federated Retirement Plan Board System, Planning Commission, Police & Fire Department Retirement Plan Board, San José Arena Authority, Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Advisory Committee, Work2Future Board

AB 1234 Ethics Training - requires covered officials to take two (2) hours of training in ethics principles every two (2) years. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has an online training that satisfies the requirement. The link to the online training is: http://localethics.fppc.ca.gov/login.aspx.

AB 1661 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training - requires covered officials to take two (2) hours of training in sexual harassment prevention every two (2) years. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing provides an online training which can be found at: https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/shpt/.

LEVINE ACT

 Senate Bill 1439 (“Levine Act”) amended Government Code Section 84308 and requires disclosure and recusal by a local elected official and some* members of boards and commissions if they receive campaign contributions over $250 from a party, a participant with a financial interest in a proceeding, or their respective agents. The Levine Act was an anti-corruption law intended to curb “pay-to-play” and enhance public trust so that decision-makers can maintain their independence from the influence of donations for political campaigns. SB 1439 expanded the scope from state agency appointees or appointed local officials to include local elected officials.  Please visit our Levine Act page for more information and to file the form. 

* Boards and Commissions affected by the Levine Act are the quasi-judicial boards and commissions: 

• Airport Commission
• Appeals Hearing Board
• Arena Authority
• Arts Commission
• Civil Service Commission
• Community Stabilization and Opportunity Pathways Fund Commission
• Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee (DCAC)
• Downtown Parking Board
• Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices
• Federated and Police & Fire Retirement Boards
• Historic Landmarks Commission
• Housing & Community Development Commission
• Planning Commission
• Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Advisory Committee
• Work2Future Board

REsources for Boards and Commissions members

The Institute for Local Government has created resources for local electeds and commission members: https://www.ca-ilg.org/meeting-resource-center-tools-effective-meetings and https://www.ca-ilg.org/newly-elected-officials-orientation-materials

 For more information about City boards and commissions, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 535-1260 or send an email to our Boards and Commissions email commissions@sanjoseca.gov.

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