The City of Tacoma is looking for applicants to complete a vacant term on the Civil Service Board.
The City of Tacoma’s Civil Service Board is created by Tacoma City Charter Section 6.11. The Civil Service Board consists of three members elected by the registered voters of Tacoma, one member elected by classified employees in the City’s work force, and one member appointed by management. Civil Service Board Members are required to live within the city limits and must be a qualified voter during their entire term.
The position to be filled by this appointment is a vacant elected position. The appointed applicant will serve until the vacant term ends and a new member is elected and seated following the municipal election of November 2027. The appointee is eligible to run for election to the position in November 2027 if desired.
The City Charter requires that a member of the Civil Service Board (Including those seeking appointment to the Civil Service Board) be a qualified elector (can register to vote) and be a resident of the City of Tacoma.
The Civil Service Board has the powers and duties listed in City Charter Section 6.12, which include proposing revisions to the Civil Service rules (also known as Personnel Rules); advising City Council and other officials on Civil Service and personnel matters; investigating conditions of employment in Civil Service; conducting appeal hearings on suspensions of more than 30 days, demotions, or terminations; and hearing complaints regarding Civil Service rules.
The Civil Service Board meets the first Thursday of every month at 5:00 p.m. for regular meetings. Special meetings may also be called as needed. Meetings are held in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, City Council Chambers, first floor. These meetings are held in a hybrid format that includes both in-person and remote options.
Additional information on the Civil Service Board is available here.
Applications must be submitted to Wendy Hobson, Civil Service Board Coordinator, at whobson@tacoma.gov  by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 15, 2026. Questions about the application process, requests for the application in an alternate format, or requests to submit additional documents may be directed to Wendy Hobson, Civil Service Board Coordinator by email or by calling (253) 591-2059.