Clatsop County Manager Scott Derickson announced that Coos County Juvenile Director Janet Evans has been selected to fill the upcoming vacancy with Clatsop County being left by Juvenile Director Georgia Gates, who is retiring after nine years as the county’s director.

Evans has been with Coos County for over 17 years, starting out as a corrections deputy and dispatcher, and also held positions such as Children’s Advocacy Center director, Juvenile Detention counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer and caseworker and Detention Supervisor before being appointed as the Coos County’s Juvenile Director in 2005.

Derickson explained that though the county had a relatively small applicant pool for this specialized position, he was impressed with the strong juvenile justice background that the top candidates possessed.

“Janet rose above the other candidates in her knowledge, solid background in the juvenile justice field, as well as her demonstrated ability to creatively operate programs with existing funds that sometimes fluctuate from year to year,” Derickson said.

The Juvenile Department Director oversees up to 13 full-time employees ranging from Juvenile Counselors, Work Crew Staff, the County’s Law Library, as well as the county’s Juvenile Detention Center and staff. The director position is also a part of the County Public Safety Coordinating Council, as well as a member of other ancillary public services, public safety groups and volunteer programs and committees regarding juvenile justice.