Last November, voters approved a charter amendment establishing a seven-member ethics commission with duties to include implementing laws concerning campaign financing, lobbying, conflicts of interest and governmental ethics among public and elected officials.

Now the city is seeking residents to fill those positions—but there are some requirements attached:

• No member of the Commission, during his or her term, shall currently hold elective office in the City of Long Beach, including the Long Beach Unified School District Board or the Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees.
• No member of the Commission, during his or her term, may serve as an officer in any election campaign for or against a candidate for any current elected office in the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Unified School District or the Long Beach Community College District, or any City or District measure.
• No member of the Commission, during his or her term, may be an employee of the City.
• No member of the Commission, during his or her term, may employ or be employed as a person required to register as a lobbyist with the City of Long Beach.

“We want the Ethics Commission to be comprised of experts in public policy and law, governmental ethics, and campaign finance,” said City Auditor Laura Doud who, along with the mayor, supported the creation of the commission. “Those who apply must be fair-minded, diligent and committed to ensuring that the City adheres to ethical standards and to enhancing the ethical climate in the City.”

Each commissioner will serve a four-year term and serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Four of the appointments will be made by the mayor and city auditor and be confirmed by the city council. Those appointments will be announced in June with the council expected to approve them in July. Once completing a live scan, ethics training and Form 700, commissioners are expected to take an oath in August.

The remaining three members will be appointed by the confirmed commissioners.

The mayor’s appointees will be required to be part of local civic organizations “with a demonstrated history of involvement in local governance,” according to a city release. The city auditor’s appointees will need a background in “public policy or public law, governmental ethics or open government matters, campaign finance, auditing of ethics laws and/or protection of whistleblowers,” according to the city.

Those interested in applying should submit applications by June 7. Find the application here and more information on the duties here.