Diane Kjellberg, former operations manager at Vashon Youth & Family Services, has agreed to return to the agency and fill in as its acting executive director while the board conducts a search to find a permanent head for the small social services agency.

Ken Maaz, who joined the agency two years ago, will work his last day at VYFS on Friday. Kjellberg has already begun working with him, helping to assure a smooth transition, he said.

“She knows the agency really well and the staff really well, so it made perfect sense for her to step in,” Maaz said.

Kjellberg has helmed the agency before. She acted as the interim director for nine months two years ago, after Sam Collins left and before Maaz came on. She then moved to a suburb of Detroit, where her husband had a job.

The couple moved back to Vashon last October, she said, making it possible for her to step back in and help the agency during another transition.

“It feels great,” she said of her return to VYFS. “I totally believe in the work they do at the agency. It’s such an important contribution to the community. … It’s good to be back and be needed again.”

Meanwhile, Maaz said, the board has begun the process of searching for his replacement. A committee of four board members and two staff members has been created, and advertisements will soon be issued. The goal, he said, is to have someone in place by November.

“That’s probably as fast it as can be done,” Maaz said.