City of Ephrata looking to fill open seat on Civil Service Commission

“It isn’t a huge time commitment,” Miller said. “It’s just time for folks to come together and make sure everything’s running smoothly and that our firefighters, law enforcement officers and the residents they serve are taken care of.” 

EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is seeking applicants to fill one open seat on its Civil Service Commission, a volunteer body that helps oversee hiring and employment practices for the city’s police and fire departments.  

City Clerk Rob Miller said the three-member commission plays an important role in ensuring fairness and accountability in public safety employment decisions.  

“The Civil Service Commission is a group of citizen volunteers who make sure that all of the hiring and professional practices for our fire and police departments are applied fairly,” Miller said. “They also help ensure any concerns are addressed and that policies are in place, so issues are handled promptly and in an equitable manner.”  

Commission members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The city is currently looking to fill one vacancy on the three-person board. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of Ephrata. Beyond those basic requirements, Miller said the city encourages a wide range of applicants, not just those with public safety backgrounds.  

“We don’t necessarily need someone with fire or law enforcement experience,” he said. “A lot of the time, we want someone with an outside perspective who can provide input from a civilian standpoint.”  

The time commitment for the role is minimal. The commission meets only as needed, with some months requiring no meetings and others requiring up to about six hours of participation, depending on activity.  

“It isn’t a huge time commitment,” Miller said. “It’s just time for folks to come together and make sure everything’s running smoothly and that our firefighters, law enforcement officers and the residents they serve are taken care of.”  

Residents interested in serving are asked to submit a letter of interest explaining why they would like to join the commission. Letters can be emailed or dropped off at Ephrata City Hall on Alder Street.  

Miller said people with questions about the position are encouraged to reach out to city officials, including the clerk’s office, mayor, police chief or fire chief, for more information.  

The open position offers residents an opportunity to support their community by helping ensure strong, accountable public safety services, Miller said.  

“We’re just looking for someone who’s interested in supporting the community through the first responders we have,” he said, “and making sure our fire and police departments remain solid and well run.” 

To apply: Submit a letter of interest to [email protected] or drop it off at Ephrata City Hall, 121 Alder St. SW.