Sarah Mello has stepped down as superintendent of the Chappaquiddick properties of The Trustees of Reservations to return to her former position as director of education at the organization’s Island properties.

Chris Kennedy, Islands regional director for the trustees, said Mrs. Mello relinquished the post for personal reasons.

“Sarah expressed great reluctance to do this but personal circumstances dictated to her that she return to her post a week ago as education director,” Mr. Kennedy said this week. “Sarah was our clear choice in a field of 60 candidates this spring.”

Mrs. Mello replaced David F. Belcher in mid May.

Mr. Belcher had spent 19 years overseeing what has become 784 wildlife acres on Chappaquiddick.

The Chappaquiddick superintendent’s job will be posted again internally and will be readvertised at the end of the month, Mr. Kennedy said.

Mr. Kennedy and Chris Egan, superintendent of the trustees’ up-Island management unit, are sharing management duties on Chappaquiddick until Mrs. Mello’s successor is selected.