The Tacoma City Council is looking to fill nine member positions and one Emerging Leader position on the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (CIRA). This is a volunteer opportunity to work with the City of Tacoma.
The Commission is comprised of 13 members and an alternate, including one Emerging Leader under the age of 25. Terms are for three years each, unless filling an unexpired term. Members shall demonstrate experience or expertise with immigrant issues, as well as a commitment to all immigrant and refugee communities.
The purpose of the Commission is to engage the City’s immigrant and refugee communities to craft an inclusive, intentional, and welcoming community together and to work with community partners to identify and advance positive outcomes for members of this diverse population and for the City as a whole. The Commission recognizes its joint concerns for safety, housing, health, and equitable access to opportunities for the benefit of all families in the City.
The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering an equitable and anti-racist organization and wants its committees, boards, and commissions to reflect Tacoma’s diverse community. For these vacancies, all individuals, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, seniors, youth, immigrants, and refugees are encouraged to apply.
Appointed applicants are required to complete Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act trainings provided by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General within 90 days of being appointed to a committee, board, or commission.
Additional information on the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is available here.
Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on January 26, 2026, at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. Questions about the application process, requests for the application in an alternate format, or requests to submit additional documents may be directed to Elizabeth Wing in the City Clerk’s Office at servetacoma@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5178.