NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city is looking for a part-time planner to help with the completion of the master plan and in implementing it.

Mayor Richard Alcombright had stated his intention last month to fill the post as soon as possible. He said a planner will be essential to bringing the city's zoning and ordinances into alignment with the master plan and in researching and writing grants.

The city hasn't had a master plan in some 40 years. The mayor has said he wants to put economic and community development in the forefront, and putting more support into the community development office will be necessary to achieve the master plan's goals.

The city hopes to use the comprehensive plan to access state and federal grant funding for projects. The position itself will be funded in part by Community Block Grant Funding. The salary is negotiable, according to the posting.

The job is listed as being 20 hours at first, with the likelihood of growing into a permanent full-time position with the next year. The individual will work with Community Development Director Michael Nuvallie.

According to job posting on BerkshireJobs.com, the planner will be expected to coordinate with the city's Planning and Zoning boards and take on addditional responsibility of projects including "neighborhood revitalization strategies, economic development planning, and bike path planning."

The candidate needs a master's degree in planning or five years in a relevant profession, and preferrably experience with a wide range projects, from enerty efficiency to trail planning to GIS mapping. Deadline to apply is April 5.