The Trustees of Reservations announced this week that a major staff restructuring will take place around the management of their Vineyard properties with a shifting emphasis toward more staffing in the summer months and less year-round.

Chris Kennedy, Trustees southeast regional director and former Islands regional director, will change his position and title to Martha’s Vineyard superintendent. The change means Mr. Kennedy will now devote full-time attention to managing and caring for The Trustees’ five Vineyard properties, the organization announced. Mr. Kennedy and his wife will take up residence in the superintendent’s house owned by the Trustees at Wasque on Chappaquiddick.

The Trustees Vineyard properties include Mytoi garden, Wasque Reservation, Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge, Long Point Wildlife Refuge and Menemsha Hills.

Mr. Kennedy has been with the Trustees for 23 years. He confirmed yesterday that the changes will mean the elimination of three positions: Chappaquiddick superintendent, which has been vacant since last summer, Long Point superintendent, a post held by Chris Egan, and conservation ranger, a post held by Kate Conde. More summer staff will be hired, including staff for shorebird monitoring.

The changes took effect a week ago Monday.

Mr. Kennedy said the restructuring is not for reasons of cost but rather better coverage for the needs of the Vineyard properties, which are primarily seasonal. “This is not a budgetary move; it is a move to buttress our seasonal staffing. We get 90 per cent of our visitation over five months,” Mr. Kennedy said. “If you looked at our staffing, we had a large emphasis on year-round, full-time staff, and we realized we had greater needs for seasonal staffing. The only way to fully fund those is to make these changes.”

As for his own role, Mr. Kennedy said he looks forward to being out on the properties again more. “I’m going to enjoy that,” he said.

The Trustees office in Vineyard Haven will remain open and Mr. Kennedy said he will split his time between there and Chappaquiddick.