Volunteer county boards and commissions serve as a conduit for citizen input, from gathering and analyzing information to making recommendations to county commissioners. These bodies impact everything from housing and development to how sheriff’s deputies are disciplined. Spokane County has 31 volunteer boards and commissions that currently have 49 vacancies overall.
Requirements for applicants usually include that board/commission members be residents of Spokane County, and if applicable, reside in the area they represent. Members serve without compensation unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates, times and frequency varies with each board. Boards and commissions also have individual requirements. For example, applicants for Civil Service commissioners must have lived in the county for at least two years immediately preceding their appointment and must not work for the county. Members must be registered to vote as well. At the time of appointment, only three of the five commissioners can belong to the same political party and political affiliation must be declared.
If you’re interested in applying, call Ginna Vasquez in the Spokane County Commissioners' Office at 509-477-2265. Applications must be submitted to the Spokane County Commissioners' Office.
Below are some examples of current volunteer openings. For a complete list, see the county’s website.
Erin Sellers
Civil Service Commission
(One vacancy)
What: According to the website, “The Commission has the responsibility of administering the merit system of employment for the county deputy sheriffs and other employees of the Sheriffs Department. Commissioners review applications and conduct hearings on employee grievances. The commission conducts monthly public meetings, certifies eligibility lists, investigates complaints about enforcement of the Civil Service system. Conduct hearings regarding discipline of Civil Service employees, keep records, and certify Sheriff payroll. They also provide selection of Sheriff personnel based on merit.”
When: The Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at 1 pm and as needed. Meetings may be held in various locations. See the Civil Service website for information for the location of each monthly meeting.
Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington Planning and Management Council (PMC)
(One vacancy)
What: PMC members review current information about issues facing older adults and people with disabilities in the community. Volunteers advocate for those with the greatest health, economic and social needs, give oversight and work with agencies and organizations for program development and planning.
When: March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 23 and Nov. 20. All meetings begin at 10 am, except for the November 20, 2026, meeting scheduled to begin at 9 am, 1313 N Atlantic St., Ste 3000, Spokane, WA 99201. Additional remote access will be provided for participants and members of the public who may wish to attend remotely.
Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee
(Three vacancies, two at-large, one for the town of Waverly)
What: Provide citizen representatives of Spokane County with the opportunity to participate in, comment on and review all funding proposals for the Housing and Community Development Division.
When: Meetings are the second Thursday of each month, 4 pm at the Spokane County Public Works Building.
Other Boards and Commissions Vacancies (accepting applications until filled):
District No. 1
- Parks and Recreation - 1 vacancy
District No. 4 (Formerly Dist. 2)
- Solid Waste Advisory Committee - 1 At-Large vacancy
- Veterans Advisory Board - 1 vacancy
- Fair Expo Advisory Board - 1 vacancy
- Accessible Community/Elections Advisory Committee - 18 vacancies
- Behavioral Health Advisory Board-
- 1 vacancy Adams County
- 1 vacancy Ferry County
- 1 vacancy Lincoln County
- 1 vacancy Pend Oreille County
- 1 vacancy Spokane County
- Board of Equalization - 1 vacancy
- Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board - 2 vacancies
- Fair Expo Advisory Board - 1 vacancy for District #4
- Horticulture Pest and Disease Board - 4 vacancies
- Joint Spokane County & City Airport Board - 1 County vacancy after 4/1/26
- Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board - 1 vacancy Weed Board District #3 (Fairfield/Spangle Area)
- Spokane Regional Health District Board - 1 vacancy for Tribal Communities
- Solid Waste Advisory Committee - 1 At-Large vacancy, District #4, 1 Business vacancy
- Veterans' Advisory Board - 1 vacancy, County Commissioner District #4,
- Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council - 3 vacancies, (1) for Community Representative, Position #2, (1) for the Chair, Racial Equity Committee/Representative (Position #3) and (1) for At-Large Victim Advocate Community Representative.
- Water Conservancy Board - 1 vacancy
