Community Planner

Job Description

The city of North Adams seeks an experienced, innovative, and team-oriented Community Planner to join its Office of Community Development. North Adams is a small city of approximately 13,000 people located in northern Berkshire County in western Massachusetts. The Berkshires are a renowned destination for arts, culture, and recreation with numerous museums and performance venues in a small-town New England setting with rich natural resources. This position offers a dynamic opportunity to engage in a variety of planning, community development, and project management initiatives aimed at enhancing quality of life, driving economic development, and promoting sustainable growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning and Project Management

• Contribute to the development of policies, neighborhood plans, studies, and other planning tools in support of VISION 2030, the city’s Comprehensive Master Plan adopted in May 2014.
• Assist in the preparation of grant applications and reports.

CDBG Program Administration

• Manage the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, including procurement processes, contract oversight, and fiscal monitoring.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist in grant writing and administration.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Partner with neighborhood and community groups to develop and implement initiatives.
• Organize, promote, and facilitate public meetings, and conduct other public outreach efforts associated with planning projects.

Strategic Focus Areas

• Track and report on activities and action items related to the Master Plan.
• Support and plan initiatives, including:
  • Neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing
  • Economic development
  • Zoning improvements
  • Energy efficiency and sustainability programs
  • Transportation and bike path planning