Salary: $24.54 - $34.53 Hourly
Location : Fairfield, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-443030-01
Department: Veterans Services
Opening Date: 05/21/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Details: Trainee $24.537385 -$29.825345 per hourJourney $28.410690 - $34.533371 per hour
Contact: Jennifer Valencia 707-784-3406
VETERANS' BENEFITS COUNSELOR (TRAINEE/JOURNEY)
The Veterans' Benefits Counselor is responsible for the interpretation and implementation of veterans benefits programs. The counselors work with individuals who are potentially qualified or viably qualified to receive benefits, and assist them in obtaining assistance according to Federal and State laws. The Veterans' Benefits Counselor may be assigned to work in a satellite operation or to provide off site services.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
TRAINEE
Experience and Education/Training: Any combination of experience, education and training which demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities.
JOURNEY
Experience and Education/Training : One (1) year of experience in the area of veterans' benefits counseling, which includes completing and processing forms or applications.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C driver's license.
• Applicable to Journey Level: In accordance with title 39, Code of Federal Regulations 14.629, all persons appointed to this class are required to obtain accreditation with the State of California Department of Veterans Affairs within six (6) months of appointment to the Veterans' Benefits Counselor position. Failure to successfully obtain this accreditation may be cause for disciplinary action.

Click here to see the full Veterans' Benefits Counselor Trainee Job Description
Click here to see the full Veterans' Benefits Counselor Job Description
SELECTION PROCESS
06/11/2024 - 5:00pm Deadline to submit application and required documents for the first application review.
A pplications will be reviewed every three weeks thereafter until the position is filled.
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant's ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.
All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted. These provisions are subject to change.
RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.
DOCUMENT SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com. Be sure to include the recruitment title and the recruitment number in your email or fax.
VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS
To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE. Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.
Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran's preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.
Americans with Disabilities Act
It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the "Selection Process"), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.
This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the application review deadline. Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.
We offer a benefits package to employees which includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more, view our
01

Describe your experience processing veteran service connected claims. In your response, please include the type of claims, level of involvement and methods used.
02

Describe your experience assisting veterans, service members or dependents access benefits or services within the community? In your response, please include the type of assistance, level of involvement and methods used.
03

Describe your training and experience in reviewing records, medical evidence and testimonies to determine benefit eligibility.
04

How many years of professional level experience do you have providing 1:1 counseling services to clients regarding veteran related benefit entitlements including claim preparation and appeal assistance?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year
• At least 2 years
• 3 or more years

05

Outreach is a critical component of our strategy to improve our veterans access to information and resources. Please indicate your level of experience in leading outreach efforts?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 or more years

Required Question