During his term as mayor, which will end Sunday, Guardian has had to deal with a state takeover of the city’s finances and the closing of five casinos.

His new position sees him return to Ocean County, where he worked at the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat Township after college.

“It completes a circle that started for me personally 42 years ago,” Guardian said. “I have nothing but great memories of Toms River and Ocean County.”

In November, Guardian lost his mayoral re-election bid to Democratic Councilman Frank Gilliam, who will take office Jan. 1.

For the past couple of weeks, Guardian had been coy about his future once his term as mayor ends. Last month, he said he was contacted by the National Republican Congressional Committee and was considering a run for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District in 2018. Incumbent Rep. Frank LoBiondo announced on Election Day he will not seek re-election.