The City of Knoxville is advertising this week for a new Assistant City Manager. The position, approved by the Knoxville City Council on Monday, is an upgrade on the former Planning & Zoning Administrator position.

City Manager Harold Stewart told the Council Monday that along with some of the planning and zoning duties that are already a part of the position, he envisions that whoever fills this position will be able to take on some of the day-to-day operations of the City Manager. Stewart told the Council in that scenario, he would be able to put more time and energy in economic development. Stewart’s strength and previous record in economic development was one of the main reasons the Council selected him as the new City Manager last year.

The job description that was approved for the Assistant City Manager position requires candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree as well as three years experience in city government or something similar. Stewart says he hasn’t made a final decision on who will be involved in the interview process, but he expects to be interviewing candidates in four-to-six weeks.