Former state Rep. James Mills, who was supposed to join the state Board of Pardons and Paroles in January, will take the post immediately, the governor’s office announced Monday.

Mills resigned from the state House in October in anticipation of the end of board member Gale Buckner’s term at the end of the year.

On Monday, though, Gov. Nathan Deal announced he had given Buckner a job as the new commissioner of the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice, calling for Mills to fill the vacancy immediately.

Buckner is replacing Amy Howell. According to the governor’s office, Howell will become general counsel for the state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Mills’ departure from the state House created a need for a special election, set for today, to replace him as District 25 representative.

Seven men from South Hall have signed up to succeed him.