Advisory Boards, Councils, Authorities and Commissions
County Executive James J. Tedesco III wants your help! Good government is responsive to the needs of our citizens. Community participation is vital to an open and responsive government. There is always a need for volunteer talent, time, and energy devoted to the Advisory Boards and Commissions. Public input enhances the County’s ability to provide the highest quality of service to the citizens of Bergen County. The Boards below currently have or will have vacancies, if you are interested in serving please send your resume or biography and a letter identifying your board of interest to: the County of Bergen, Office of the County Executive One Bergen County Plaza 5th Floor Hackensack NJ 07601-7076 or fill out and submit a form below to apply online.
Pursuant to Ordinance 13-07
Advisory Board to the Office for Children is a 25 member Advisory Board to the Office for Children was established in 1980 to assess the child care needs in the County, and develop a comprehensive plan to meet those needs.
Advisory Council of the Division of Senior Services / Area Agency on Aging The 20 member Division of Senior Services Advisory Council acts on all matters relating to the development, administration and execution of the area plan. Specifically, the council assists in project assessment, funding and decisions, legislative issues, and community education/public relations.
African American Advisory Board offers advice and support to county departments and the County Executive regarding the important issues facing the African American community. We assist with planning events that celebrate the diverse ethnic communities of Bergen County. It is a seven member board with staggered three year terms.
Asian American Advisory Board offers advice and support to county departments and the County Executive regarding the important issues facing the Asian American community. We assist with planning events that celebrate the diverse ethnic communities of Bergen County. It is a seven member board with staggered three year terms.
Bergen Community College Board of Trustees does all things necessary and proper to advance the interests of the college and to enhance the process and atmosphere of education. Their powers include oversight, management, control and approval or disapproval of all things related to or affecting Bergen Community College. All interested applicants will be reviewed by the BCC Nominating Committee before being recommended for appointment by the County Executive.
Bergen County Agriculture Development Board maintains and strengthens the growth of agricultural production and the preservation of remaining farmlands in Bergen County through the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program. The Board also administers the state’s Right to Farm Program, which provides eligible commercial farm owners and operators with certain protections from restrictive municipal ordinances and public and private nuisance actions.
Bergen County Board of Social Services is a seven member board of directors that oversees the Bergen County Board of Social Services, an agency working within the guidelines of Federal & State statutes to help individuals and families meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential.
Bergen County Board of Special Education is a seven member Board, which includes the Bergen County Superintendent of Schools, is responsible for the governance of the County’s special education schools located at various sites throughout the county. The district serves both children and adults with all disabilities and special needs.
Bergen County Construction Board of Appeals is set up in most counties to hear appeals of municipal construction officials’ notices of violations of the State building and fire codes. The Board may affirm, reverse or modify the decision of the municipality and also remand the matter to the municipality for further action. The construction board of appeals shall include five regular members, each appointed for a term of four years. Members of the Board are certified and licensed in New Jersey Construction Codes, and New Jersey Fire Codes, one member must also be a registered architect or licensed professional engineer There shall also be five alternate members, similarly qualified as the regular members, one of the alternates can be an elevator sub-code official.
Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA) is a semi-autonomous board that assists the County of Bergen and its municipalities by fostering creative partnerships and access to favorable financing for projects that improve quality of life. The Authority also oversees the quality of healthcare provided by the private manager of the Bergen Regional Medical Center.
Bergen County Planning Board reviews and approves all subdivisions and site plan applications for land development that may affect County roads or drainage facilities. It reviews applications initially approved by the County Planning and/or Engineering Departments.
Bergen County Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee is responsible for the administration of the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland & Historic Preservation Trust Fund and for recommending funding awards approved by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) is a public utility providing sewage disposal for forty-seven (47) municipalities in Bergen County and solid waste services for seventy (70) municipalities in Bergen County. The BCUA is responsible for the treatment of an average of 82 million gallons per day of wastewater at its two wastewater facilities located in Little Ferry and Edgewater. The BCUA is also responsible for the management of over one million tons per year of solid waste through the implementation of disposal and recycling initiatives include household hazardous waste and other waste and recycling programs.
Bergen County Workforce Investment Board (BCWIB) is a local, business-led board of directors composed of private- and public-sector leaders from business, education, labor, community and faith-based organizations, and government. Board members represent the comprehensive, diverse needs of our community and are dedicated to supporting workforce and economic development. All WIBs are mandated by federal law (Workforce Investment Act) to monitor spending and programs at a One-Stop Career Center that assists in recruiting and training employees and job seekers.
Bergen County Youth Services Commission is designated, by the County Executive, to be the entity in the County of Bergen, for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Juvenile Justice System. The Commission will prepare and oversee the implementation of a triennial comprehensive plan of services and sanctions for juveniles within the juvenile justice system. Please, click here for the Meeting Schedule.
Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1975 in order to promote the expansion of rights and opportunities available to women of Bergen County.
Community Development Countywide Committee is comprised of the six regional committee chairs along with five appointees by the County Executive. The Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the allocation of monies from the Federal Government’s Community Development Block Grant program.
Community Transportation Advisory Board makes recommendations regarding transportation services for seniors and those with disabilities.
County Alliance Steering Subcommittee (CASS) of the LACADA: Appointed residents provide public leadership in the development of substance use prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support service resources in its advisory role to the Bergen County Department of Health Services and the Bergen County Board of County Commissioners. The LACADA typically meets on Thursdays, six times a year and is open to the public.
Division of Disability Services Advisory Board has 25 members and six ex-officio members. The advisory board addresses the unmet needs in the community for persons with disabilities, specifically focusing attention on issues regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and interpretation.
Environmental Council appointees serve two year terms and oversee the activities of the council, which is comprised of volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of water resources and the overall environment in Bergen County. Activities include education, advocacy and clean-up projects and other cooperative efforts between private citizens, business, government and interested organizations.
Historic Preservation Advisory serves as a resource to the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and to the County Executive and the Freeholders on historic preservation policy, interpretive programs, operation of county historic sites and facilities, preparation of a County Preservation Master Plan, and on acquisition and preservation of properties as County-owned historic sites. The board reviews applications and recommends funding for the Historic Preservation Trust Fund component of the BC Open Space Trust Fund, sponsors the annual County Historic Preservation Awards, reviews construction and development applications from the public and private sectors that may impact historic sites, sponsors educational seminars pertaining to preservation subjects, and, when requested, provides technical assistance on historic preservation to municipalities and private individuals.
Homeless Trust Fund Task Force advises the County of Bergen regarding the creation and implementation of a homelessness prevention program and ensures that monies from the Homeless Trust Fund are directed exclusively for housing acquisition or rehabilitation, rental assistance, supportive services and homelessness prevention for target populations.
Housing Authority of Bergen County provides opportunities to people who experience barriers to housing because of income, disability or special need in an environment that preserves personal dignity and in a manner that maintains the public trust. The Authority’s core programs and activities are funded for the most part by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Authority consists of seven Commissioners who must complete a mandatory training program within 18 months of appointment.
Human Relations Commission mission is to promote respect for human rights and cultural diversity in Bergen County. The Commission works to support community based resources which promotes tolerance and combats bigotry as well as to encourage, develop and promote a strong sense of community.
- Courageous Conversations: Building a Safer and More Inclusive Bergen County. Please, click here
- Statement Regarding the Murder of George Floyd. Please, click here.
Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) is the principle planning body for the State Departments of Human Services and Children and Families and the Bergen County Department of Human Services. Established in accordance with State regulations and the Administrative Code of the County of Bergen, the HSAC is comprised of professionals, consumers and advocates, with a goal to improve the quality of human services for residents of Bergen County. The HSAC’s primary functions are: planning, advocacy, resource allocation and program review.
Latino American Advisory Board offers advice and support to county departments and the County Executive regarding the important issues facing the Latino American community. We assist with planning events that celebrate the diverse ethnic communities of Bergen County. It is a seven member board with staggered three year terms.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory Committee offers a greater voice in Bergen County government through information sharing and promotion of awareness. It seeks to provide advice and support to county departments and administration regarding the important issues facing the LGBTQ community, and assists with planning events that celebrate the diversity of Bergen County. It is a fifteen (15) member board with three (3) year terms on a staggered basis.
Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA): Appointed residents provide public leadership in the development of substance use prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support service resources in its advisory role to the Bergen County Department of Health Services and the Bergen County Board of County Commissioners. The LACADA typically meets on Thursdays, six times a year and is open to the public.
Mental Health Board provides public leadership to the county in the development of mental health services and advises the State Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. We advocate on platform matters and for systemic improvements and provide a forum for residents to speak on matters related to mental health services and needs. Members of the Board: shall include as wide a spectrum of the County's population as possible but shall not include persons employed by or having a fiduciary interest in any agency funded by the Division to provide mental health services.
Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA) is an independent agency operating in the northwest section of Bergen County that is dedicated to environmentally sound processing of wastewater, and returning fresh water to the natural environment. The NBCUA receives sewage and conveys the sewage to its treatment plant in Waldwick. The NBCUA serves approximately 75,000 people in eleven municipalities: Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Ramsey, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River Waldwick, Wyckoff and a small portion of Ridgewood. The Authority is governed by a nine-member board of Commissioners serving 5-year staggered terms. They meet monthly to conduct Authority business.
Solid Waste Advisory Council
Solid Waste Advisory Council is constituted on an as needed basis to provide advisory information and recommendations to the board of Chosen Freeholders regarding general matters or amendments to the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan. Members will include municipal mayors, persons engaged in the collection or disposal of solid waste and environmentalists.
Technical Schools Board of Education
Technical Schools Board of Education formulates policy to conform with all national, state, and local laws and regulations as determined by the New Jersey State Board of Education, New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.), Title 18A, and detailed in the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.), Title 6A. Those policies serve as a guideline for the district’s goals, a legal basis for its actions, and enable the Superintendent to create rules and regulations for policy implementation.
Veterans Advisory Council
Veterans Advisory Council is comprised of 16 members who make recommendations on policies, procedures, and programs for Bergen County’s veteran population.
Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee
Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee consists of four members of the County Board of Elections, a person having a disability, a person trained in the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a representative of the appointing authority and at least three members of the public. The committee, including at least one member with a disability, is charged with making a physical inspection of all of the polling places within the county and shall receive any complaints made to the Division of Elections about inaccessible polling places.