The Warren City Council is looking to gain some younger perspective.

The council is looking to bring in a high school junior or senior who resides in the city to serve as Junior Council Member. It’s a program council has had in the past but not for a few years.

They’ll serve in an advisory role to city council and, according to a statement from the city, “provides an opportunity for the voice of youth to be heard.

“City Council greatly values the insights offered by the young men and women who have served in this capacity,” they say. “This is also an opportunity to see the workings of local government firsthand and promotes the development of leadership skills.”

One current member of council, John Wortman, served in the junior capacity while in high school. He called it one of the “most meaningful experiences of my adolescence” where he learned “you are never too young to leave an impact on your community.

“Learning about how important the City Departments are to the everyday life of Warren’s people has stayed with me for a long period of time,” he added. “With many of the same people still faithfully serving our City, the value of the experience to me has been incalculable.”

“Mayor Phillips and every member of Council was encouraging to me and supportive of my involvement,” Wortman said. “Learning from Councilman James Zavinski and Vice President Cashman when I was a student helped me tremendously when I had the privilege to serve with them as colleagues in understanding what their goals for Warren have been.”

Wortman said it’s his view that his experience in the junior role aided his election in 2019.

“I would not have been elected the vice president of Council without that prior knowledge and understanding,” he said.

The council meets on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the city building. The selected council member would serve from September 2022 through May 2023.

“My goal is that this application process will help us find a young person who is committed to carrying on this crucial tradition of public service,” Wortman said.

Those interested are invited to submit an application to the city. The application can be found at cityofwarrenpa.gov/junior. The deadline for applications is set for April 29.