The Governor makes appointments to over 250 Boards and Commissions representing a broad range of areas and issues for the State of Oregon. This also includes most major state agencies and departments headed by policy-making boards which are appointed by the Governor.
Members of Oregon State Boards and Commissions are vital participants in statewide decision-making and dedicated individuals have the opportunity to participate in developing a wide variety of important governmental policies. Major issues range from consumer protection, economic development, education, conservation, and health care — all of which are critical to the ongoing success of the State of Oregon.
The Governor is also committed to ensuring that all Boards and Commissions represent the growing age, racial and gender diversity of the state. This is an amazing opportunity to pool our collective viewpoints, visions, and hopes for Oregon — and all residents are welcome and encouraged to serve.
Note: You must be an Oregon resident and taxpayer to participate unless otherwise noted.
Apply Online
Internal - Current Board Members or State Employees
Applicants who are already board members applying for reappointment or would like to apply for another board, and/or current state workers, please apply internally:
- Log in to Workday – HERE
- On the homepage, click on Menu and then select Career
- Click on Internal – Find Jobs
- From there, search the board to which you'd like to apply and click the Apply button
- Detailed guidance on how to apply internally can be found - HERE
External - New Applicants
New applicants, please apply externally:
- Board application links - HERE
- You will be instructed to create a Workday profile using an email and password
- Once created, sign in, search for the Board or Commission you would like to apply to, and select the Apply button
- Detailed guidance on how to apply externally can be found - HERE
About the Application
The Electronic Application captures the same material as the previously used Interest Form. It is a basic application that tells our office about you, your background, and why you want to participate on a Governor-appointed Board or Commission. You will need to include your resume, a short personal biography, and answers to supplemental questions. Only complete applications will be considered. A complete application consists of:
- Contact Information
- Short Personal Bio
- Responses to Application Questions
- Demographic Information
- Uploaded Resume (PDF only)
- Background Check Questions*
- Voluntary Disclosures
- Additional Tasks (you will be prompted by Workday)
*Applicants are subject to a background check and additional vetting may apply for some board positions. Notifying us about something in your past does not necessarily mean that you cannot or will not be appointed; but, it is important that you disclose this information in the beginning of the process. Please ensure your fiscal responsibilities are in order when applying. Non-compliant issues may delay or jeopardize your potential appointment.
If you are unable to complete the form electronically, please reach out to the Executive Appointments Office at
executive.appointments@oregon.gov for assistance. Due to the high volume of inquiries, there may be a delay in hearing back from a member of our team. We appreciate your patience.
You may apply at any time, regardless of whether there is a current opening, as resignations occur throughout the year. If you are being actively considered for an appointment, you will hear from either the Governor’s Office or the Board Administrator directly.
Expectations of Service
Service is varied and based upon the needs, expectations and policy goals. Most seats are volunteer positions and have an average expectation of approximately 10-15 hours of work per month. Some Commissions however have a need for specialized skills, but most people will find a Board or a Commission that is a great fit for their knowledge base. Public members of Boards and Commissions are people who may not have regular, ongoing experience in a specific topic area, but have a general interest in a particular Board or Commission’s work arena. This is a great opportunity to learn more about an area of interest and contribute a perspective that is fresh and unique to the service area.
Candidates are expected to actively engage and participate once they are confirmed and appointed, so it is important that you are clear on your time and availability. Travelling within the state to meetings can be a part of some Board’s or Commission’s expectations, so make sure that you factor in the location of meetings into your decision. Finally, each Board or Commission has a particular term during which they serve. Most terms are between 2-4 years and all Board and Commission members are subject to a two-term limit. If you enjoyed serving and completed your term on one Board or Commission, consider seeking appointment to another Board or Commission. Your experience is invaluable!
Attestation of Service Form
Below is the link to the Attestation of Service form. New and reappointed members will need to review, complete, and sign this form digitally and email it back to our office. It will be saved in our files for the duration of your term/s.
Training
A description of the required training for all newly appointed Board & Commission members can be found at
https://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/documents/bc.pdf.
Member Compensation (ORS 292.495)
Oregon law allows state Board and Commission members to receive statutory per diem compensation and reimbursement of certain expenses for each day or portion thereof which they spend time performing Board or Commission duties. House Bill 2992, which was passed during the 2021 Legislative session, is intended to reduce systemic barriers to participation in state Boards and Commissions. Please refer to the FAQ document below to learn more about the implementation of HB 2992.
Resources for Interested Applicants
- Board Book: The Board Book provides information on the boards to which the Governor makes appointments. This includes the mission of the board, membership composition, meeting frequency and location, board contact, and more. Please note: We are working on updating the entries in the Board Book; as of April 8, 2024, this version may not reflect all active boards.
- Expirations List: This list shows member terms that are expiring through December 31, 2024. (List updated October 22, 2024)
- Vacancies List: This list shows vacant positions on boards as of October 1, 2024.
- Boards Contact List: Please reach out to the relevant Board Contact for more information about a specific board.
- Board Member Handbook