Veterans Services Officer

This position is responsible for advocating, informing, advising, assisting, referral, and follow-up services for Franklin County Veterans, their spouses, and dependents in securing eligible entitlements and benefits under the provisions of RCW 73.08.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Reports administrative and program services, along with policies and procedures, to the responsible boards to identify desirable outcomes.
• Acts as administrator for Veterans Relief Funding.
• Ensures all mandated State and Federal programs are carried out in accordance with established requirements.
• Maintains knowledge of current County, State, and Federal Rules and Regulations.  Monitors legislative proposals that will impact the department. Keeps the Human Services Director informed of these changes.
• Prepares materials, information, and presents to the Franklin County Veteran’s Advisory Board meetings to keep them informed of the department's activities, needs, and suggestions for improved services.
• Advises and assists veterans, service personnel and their dependents and survivors in filing applications and other supportive evidence to the VA as claims for or to maintain benefits; examine military and residency documentation to determine and establish eligibility; assist those qualified for state Veterans’ benefits.
• Reviews ratings from the VA and provides assistance with appeals resulting from unsuccessful claims and applications.
• Counsels, advises, and aids claimants on issues including financial assistance, educational assistance, medical needs, alcohol and other drug abuse, shelter, vocational adjustment and mortuary affairs.
• Research and gather supporting evidence for various claims on behalf of claimants as requested.
• Provides counseling and assistance to Veterans and claimants directly or through referral.  
• Establishes contacts and serves as liaison to other Veterans’ and public agencies and promotes ongoing awareness of Veteran’s needs.
• Attends and promotes community outreach to promote the duties of the office and benefit entitlement information.  Assists in organizing and/or participates in major Veteran activities in the counties.
• Plans, directs, and implements a public information program to communicate Veterans’ programs.
• Research grant opportunities and write grants for additional funding for veteran’s services.
• Attends the funerals of indigent Veterans when appropriate.
• Performs outreach to assist veterans who may have barriers to on-site contact (ie nursing homes, hospitals, etc) as needed.
• Enters, scans, updates, and maintains information in spreadsheets, databases, and reports.
• Maintains electronic filing, paper filing, and record systems to provide easy access to records and information; provides retention of records as required by Department and County policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• The Veteran’s Service Office, its activities, and the services and programs available to Veterans.
• The laws relating to the benefits available to Veterans under a wide variety of federal, state and local veterans benefit programs.
• Administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• The County’s and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Current office practices and procedures.
• Operation of standard office equipment and software consistent with this position.

Skilled in:

• Counseling and assisting Veterans and their families regarding benefits and services.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority. 

Ability to:

• Read, analyze, research and interpret complex provisions and laws for individual case use.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations. 
• Read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain professionalism at all times.
• Maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of the Public Records Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This work requires occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic). 

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Three years of social services experience 

OR 

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
• Veterans Service Officer (VSO) accreditation obtained through the Washington Department of Veteran’s Affairs (WDVA) within six months of employment.
• Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.
• Honorable discharge from military service with not less than two years’ continuous service or the completion of one full-term service.

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Salary : $65,104 - $87,422