Hillsborough County Recruiting for Their Citizen Boards

Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking residents to serve on several County citizen advisory boards and councils. Residents interested in seeking appointment must be registered voters in Hillsborough County. These are voluntary positions, and members serve without compensation. The deadline for applying is Thursday, Feb. 25. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in March or April.

An application is available in the Commissioners’ reception area on the second floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa, by calling the Boards and Councils Coordinator at (813) 272-5826, or on the County’s web site at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org. Click on the “County Commission” link on the left-hand side of the page, then the “Advisory Boards and Committees” sublink. The electronic form can be filled out on-line and printed, but cannot be submitted electronically. Directions for submission are listed on the form. Note: when you click the “print form” button at the end of the questionnaire, it will produce a printer-friendly form and all the information entered will be visible.

The Boards that have openings are:

CENTRAL PARK COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE–ensures that the interests of residents, property owners, businesses, and other stakeholders in the area are represented in key decisions relating to the Community Redevelopment Agency Plan and Tax Increment Financing (CIT) budget for their area.

One term is expiring. Term is for two years. Members must live or work in the redevelopment area and/or have significant interests within the CRA?s area of influence. Members are required to sign a Sunshine Law and Ethics Code Acknowledgement Form. Meeting schedule: first Monday of the month, 10 a.m.

CHILD CARE LICENSING HEARING OFFICERS–conducts hearings, and makes findings and recommendations, when requested by an applicant for a license or a current licensee, whenever an application for a license is denied, or whenever a license has been placed on probation, suspended, revoked, or an administrative fine has been imposed by the Office of Child Care Licensing.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Hearing Officers must be members in good standing of the Florida Bar and may not be employees of the County Attorney’s Office. Appointment as a Hearing Officer is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: When requested.

CHILDRENS SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD–examines and advises department management on the development and operation of programs that treat children with special needs. The Board also advises on parent training programs, emergency shelter service, homeless and runaway youth programs, domestic violence programs, child care licensing, clinical outreach, and residential treatment programs for children in Hillsborough County. It also assures the coordination of Head Start and Early Head Start services with all other Children’s Services offered by the County.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Term is for four years. Nominees are to have a demonstrated interest in the welfare of children. Appointment to this board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: At least six times annually.

ELECTRICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS–confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for electrical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that fail to comply with the Electrical Code.

One position is vacant. Term is for four years. Position is specified as an electrical engineer. Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME ADVISORY BOARD–annually reviews and advises the County Commission on recommended amendments to the Family Child Care Homes Licensing Ordinance or the Rules and Regulations Handbook. This includes recommending and assisting the local licensing agency in the development and implementation of training materials for child care personnel; advising the local licensing agency on matters of licensing policy, procedure, and priorities; and proposes additional rules and regulations regarding the intent and purpose of the ordinance.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as a parent who has a child enrolled in a licensed family day care home. Appointment to this board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 7 p.m.

GAS BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS & EXAMINERS–governs the certification of gas contractors doing work in Hillsborough County and enforces adherence to the standards set by the Gas Code.

Two positions are vacant. One term is for four years and one is for the remainder of a term which expires Dec. 31, 2010. Positions are specified as 1) liquid petroleum installer and 2) a master gas fitter. Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 11 a.m.

HEALTH CARE ADVISORY BOARD–improves accessibility and efficiency of care for medically-poor residents of Hillsborough County through recommendations to the County Commission for fund allocation, coordination, planning, and monitoring of health care delivery systems.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires June 30, 2013. Position is specified as a health care business or professional representative. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Thursday, 3 p.m.

HISTORICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL–supports and facilitates a uniform historical marker program throughout the County, including the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace as well as organizations and other agencies who request assistance. It also provides the County Commission with support that complements the goals of historical preservation and education in Hillsborough County.

One position is vacant. Position is for remainder of term which expires Dec. 31, 2012. All members must possess expertise in significant and relevant historical matters. No member may serve more than two full consecutive terms. More than one half of a term is deemed to be service for a full term. A member who has served two full consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment after at least three years of non-membership. Meeting schedule: Quarterly.

HISTORIC RESOURCES REVIEW BOARD–serves as an architectural review board for the protection of historic resources in unincorporated Hillsborough County. It recommends archaeological and historical sites to the Board of County Commissioners for landmark designation and reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Term is for three years. Position is specified as a planner or landscape architect or real estate developer or broker, licensed to practice in the State of Florida. Citizens appointed to this board must reside in unincorporated Hillsborough County. After two consecutive terms, a member shall not be eligible for reappointment until one calendar year has elapsed from date of termination of the second term. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Tuesday, 3 p.m.

HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD–encourages equality among all people by reviewing complaints filed under Hillsborough County’s Human Rights Ordinance, which promotes fair treatment and equal opportunity for people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or marital status.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires Dec. 31, 2010. Members may not be appointed to serve more than two consecutive terms. Consideration of membership shall be given to representatives from the following fields: retail merchandising management, industrial management, real estate sales, property leasing, mortgage financing, law enforcement, and labor council. Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Monthly, second Tuesday, 12 p.m. Noon.

LAND USE APPEALS BOARD–hears appeals of decisions of the Land Use Hearing Officer on special use permits and variances from zoning regulations. One position is vacant and six terms are expiring. Terms are for three years.

Positions are specified as an attorney, a landscape architect or architect, business owner, professional planner, civil or environmental engineer, member of a civic or neighborhood organization, or developer, and two alternates. After two consecutive terms, a member shall not be eligible for reappointment until one calendar year has elapsed from date of termination of second term. Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure and must reside in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Friday, 9 a.m.

MECHANICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS–confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for mechanical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that fail to comply with the Mechanical Code.

One term has expired, one term is expiring, and two positions are vacant. Member terms are for four years. Alternate terms are for two years. Positions are specified as 1) a mechanical building trade representative, 2) a class ?A? HVAC contractor, and 3 & 4) alternates. Nominees for alternate positions must be knowledgeable and experienced in the technical codes of the mechanical industry. Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 10 a.m.

PLUMBING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS–confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for plumbing certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that fail to comply with the Plumbing Code.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires Dec. 31, 2011. Position is specified as a registered engineer. Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Tuesday, 1 p.m.

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE–acts in the public interest on all matters relating to the Public Art Ordinance including the selection, placement, and maintenance of works of public art throughout the County. The Committee and its staff are responsible for the administration and planning of the Public Art Program, and the curatorship of the County?s Public Art Collection. Members and staff serve as countywide liaisons to the public art community.

One term has expired and one term is vacant due to resignation. Expiring term is for four years. Vacant position is for remainder of term which expires Dec. 31, 2011. The positions are specified as 1) an architect, planner, landscape architect, or developer in the County and 2) a private citizen. No member shall serve for more than two full four year terms. Meeting schedule: Monthly, second Thursday, 11:30 a.m.