Resident questions county juvenile intake job description; county staff say duties meet KDOC rules

A member of the public raised questions about the county's job description for a juvenile intake and assessment officer and whether the duties being performed exceed KDOC standards.

"Chelsea's job description doesn't seem to be in compliance with the KDOC standard," Carolyn Huddleston told commissioners, citing a KDOC standard she said requires two years of college or two years of experience for related roles and noting that supervision duties typically require a four‑year degree. Huddleston asked whether the county had documented approvals for any expanded duties and requested the written policies, procedures and advisory‑board approvals the KDOC standard requires for "extended operations." She also raised a separate concern about the county hospital budget and the treasurer's accounts.

Chelsea, who was asked to summarize the position, said her office created the intake role because the juvenile supervision officer position requiring a bachelor's degree had no qualified applicants. She told the board the intake staff meet certification requirements and that KDOC's juvenile intake contact (James Johnson) confirmed by email that staff may facilitate programs without a four‑year degree. "They do have the authority to facilitate those programs and it does not require a 4 year degree," Chelsea said. Chelsea said intake staff are not supervising cases; supervision of cases remains with the juvenile supervision officers.