The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on three commissions under the purview of the Health and Human Services Department: the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Women, and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Somerville’s boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. HHS will be accepting applications for the open positions until they are filled.

There are currently opportunities on three commissions, as follows:

1. Human Rights Commission

Open Positions: 10

Term: 1-3 year terms available

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) membership strives to reflect the social, cultural, economic, racial diversity of the city. Commissioners must be current residents of Somerville and able to commit to at least five hours of service per month. The HRC meets every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Commission looks at a variety of human rights issues affecting residents and seeks to protect and promote constitutional and civil rights, including raising awareness of human rights issues, discrimination and bias.

For more information, please contact Nency Salamoun, the City’s Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at 617-625-6600 x2323 or atnsalamoun@somervillma.gov.

2. Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Open Positions: 5
Term: 3 years

Commission strives to coordinate and carry out programs designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Additionally, the Commission provides information, reviews policies and provides recommendations on issues affecting people with disabilities.

Commissioners must be current residents of Somerville and able to commit to at least five hours of service per month. The Commission for Persons with Disabilities meets every second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

For more information, please contact Nency Salamoun, the City’s Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at 617-625-6600 x2323 or atnsalamoun@somervillma.gov.

3. Commission for Women

Open Positions: eight

Term: 3 years

The goal of the Somerville Commission for Women is to act as a centralizing force in the city and the community which takes action to ensure the equal status of all women.

Commissioners must be Somerville residents who understand that community engagement, advocacy and education are the keys to keeping Somerville a great place for women to live, work, play and raise a family. Commissioners must be able to commit to at least five hours of service per month. The SCW meets every third Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information, please contact Chris Hosman, the City’s Community Services Manager at 617-625-6600 x2406 or at chosman@somervillema.gov.

The City of Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at the address noted below:

Nency Salamoun, JD
NSalamoun@somervillema.gov
(617) 625-6600, Ext. 2323 (Voice)
(617) 808-4851 (TTY)