The entrance to China Spring Youth Camp located south of Gardnerville in the Pinenut Mountains.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Appointment of a Reno resident, who has been serving as interim director of China Spring Youth Camp, will go before Douglas County commissioners on Thursday.
Jessica Stocking has been on loan from the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center in Silver Springs.
Stocking has filled the role for the past 60 days, and if approved will be the first director since the county took charge of the camp earlier this year.
Douglas County Human Resources Director Wendy Lang said Monday that Stocking was the most qualified candidate and that she looked forward to bringing her appointment to county commissioners.
County commissioner Sharla Hales, who participated in the interviews for the two finalists, said Stocking was clearly the better candidate.
“I’m appreciative that she jumped in and started work,” Hales said. “What China Spring needs is fewer bumps in the road and more continuity. We are very lucky and blessed to have her willing to continue the work she’s already started. I feel this is the clear way forward.”
According to the county, Stocking’s annual salary will be $145,600.
She worked for the Lyon County Youth Center for four years, according to her resumé after spending two years with the Washoe County Public Defender’s Office and nine years with The Children’s Cabinet in Reno.
Stocking is a 2008 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in human development and family studies and addiction treatment. She is a Spanish Springs High School graduate.
Members of the China Spring Youth Camp Advisory Board met Stocking at their March 18 meeting.
She told them she was meeting with staff and was impressed by their dedication. She said she was eager to streamline services to meet the needs of the Nevada counties served by the camp.
Should she be approved by commissioners she will face the challenge of operating the camp with $1.2 million in budget cuts.
Lang said that in her role as HR director she has already been taking steps to work on the changes approved by commissioner as well as looking at revenues and expenses for the camp.
Stocking said she has been working with each of the other 16 Nevada counties served by the camp.
“I’ve been working with each county to determine what their needs in the camp are,” she said.
