Veterans Services Officer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A professional position that performs advanced level, highly specialized work assisting veterans and their dependents in claiming authorized benefits and entitlements; supervises professional subordinates and support staff in coordinating department activities; interviews and counsels veterans and veterans’ dependents to assist with processing claims, appeals, and completing questionnaires involving compensation, pension, educational assistance, loans, rehabilitation, and other entitlements; determines eligibility and ensures that claims are processed professionally within the general framework of existing laws, rules, and regulations governing veterans’ entitlements. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following statements describe the principal functions of the job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

• Develops policies, procedures and protocols as needed to carry out project activities and objectives;
• Provides consultation and guidance to subordinate staff on complex case situations, emergencies, or cases which require higher level decisions.
• Interviews, counsels and assists veterans and their dependents in applying for compensation, disability claims, pensions, death benefits, hospitalization, outpatient treatment, insurance, and other entitlements;
• Prepares and submits claims, processes appeals as per Federal and State Statutes on behalf of veterans and/or their dependents;
• Initiates correspondence and follow-up with Veterans' Administration as needed to secure satisfactory resolution of applications;
• Reviews, analyzes and interprets Veterans Administration directives.
• Answers inquiries regarding the interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations regarding veterans’ benefits and entitlements;
• Prepares the annual budget and monitors program expenditures;
• Collects department statistics and reports information to various agencies and County Administration;
• Makes judgment decisions as to filing appeals of Veterans Administration decisions;
• Assures that the division has materials and training needed to perform all aspects of their work;
• Attends Veterans' Administration training seminars as required to administer policy directives and maintain certification;
• Maintain a professional and safe unit and work area adhering to established safety policies and the image desired for the organization;
• Reviews amendments and/or policy changes to Title 10/38 U.S. Code 38 CFR, regulations, VA program guides, and VA rating schedules;
• Promotes and maintains public relations with governmental and service organizations and speaks to groups as requested;
• Follows consistently the Boards policies and procedures;
• Engage with the veterans services organizations within the community to include representing Veterans Services at events outside the office;
• Speak on behalf of Veterans Services at veteran groups and public events on benefits and programs available for our veteran population;
• Responsible for writing and maintaining accurate and detailed documentation of all case-related activity and ensuring it is uploaded to veterans file;
• Responds productively to change and performs all other related tasks as directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

 • Knowledgeable in the Department of Veterans Affairs claims processing;
• Knowledgeable in state, federal and county laws relating to veterans and veterans programs;
• Knowledgeable of local veterans groups and associations, community agencies and resources;
• Knowledge of standard office equipment and software as well as claims software; 
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of individuals and groups;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision making in administrative and personnel situations;
• Ability to show compassion and be receptive to the needs of veterans and dependents;
• Able to research and problem solve independently;
• Ability to create and present information through presentations, reports, and other professional correspondence;
• Ability to enlist and retain the respect, confidence and cooperation of veterans, and veterans' agencies;
• Ability to express oneself, clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
• Ability to work effectively and maintain good interpersonal relationships; 
• Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to veterans’ benefits and the standard policies for processing claims under appropriate laws;
• Knowledge of offices established for the purpose of providing assistance to veterans including the Veterans Administration, veterans’ organizations, and various state and local veterans’ offices;
• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques, and military records and forms;
• Ability to apply computer applications and software;
• Ability to interpret and explain laws and regulations applying to veterans’ benefits in language understood by veterans or their families.                       

PHYSICAL SKILLS:

The work is sedentary and requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
- Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc., and ability to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
- Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone.
- Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
- Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's Degree AND one (1) year experience filing claims to the Veterans Benefits Administration as an accredited representative AND must have PIV Card access or obtain such within six (6) months of employment. -OR- Associate's Degree plus three (3) years experience filing claims to the Veterans Benefits Administration as an accredited representative AND must have PIV Card access or obtain such within six (6) months of employment.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

  Must be a veteran (or the surviving spouse of such veteran) and meet the requirements in the Title 38, U.S. Code and Florida Statute 292.11 applicable to Florida County Veteran Service Officers.

OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Disaster Essential.

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Does not Discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability/handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics or any other legally protected group/class. We are proud to be a drug free workplace. Screening tests for illegal drug use may be required as a condition of employment

Salary : $53,363 - $85,380