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Asbury Park officials are in search of a Transportation Planner/Manager to take over the duties of running the city’s $2.187 million parking utility.

The qualified candidate will oversee the management of the city’s transportation and parking services, including its parking meters, traffic control, pedestrian safety plans, bicycle and streetscape design.

The job also calls for inter-agency coordination with the state’s Department of Transportation, Transportation Planning Authority and NJ Transit, according to the job notice.

The City Council approved creating the post on Aug 10, with an annual $35,000 to $90,000 salary range.

City Manager Michael Capabianco said the decision to create the in-house position came after two rounds of searches for a qualified consultant did not produce a fitting candidate.

In vetting the City’s master plan, parking studies, bicycle and pedestrian plans, the transportation planner will review all road and transportation improvements in Asbury Park and seek transportation related grants.

Responsibilities also include attending the bimonthly Parking Committee meetings, which has been responsible for making policy recommendations to the City Council.

The new post, which includes overseeing facilities, comes on the heels of the city’s search for a qualified candidate to revamp its municipal complex and adjacent transportation center. The request for design plans seeks the addition of a parking garage, commercial spaces and residences to the block-long facility on Main Street.

Capabianco said they are in receipt of bids for the redesign project, which falls within the city’s Main Street Redevelopment zone.

The position falls under the direction of Planning and Redevelopment Director Michele Alonso and Capabianco. Candidates have until Sept. 26 to submit resumes, which will be considered on a rolling basis.

Within the past 18 month the City has hired critical administrative staff, including Capabianco and Alonso, Municipal Clerk Cindy Dye, Communications Director Hannah Walker, Tax Collector Tyrone Young, Public Works Superintendent Bill McClave, and most recently CFO JoAnn Boos, who joined the  staff on July 1. In house employee James Foster also was promoted to treasurer, Capabianco said.

The City Council also approved the creation of a Social Services Director at an annual salary range of $28,000 to $95,216.

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