Veteran Service Officer

Job Summary

Veteran Services delivers a variety of services to veterans and eligible dependents by assessing their needs and most appropriate course of action.

The Veteran Service Officer promotes the interests and welfare of veterans, their dependents and survivors in order to enhance their quality of life through counseling, benefit claims assistance, education, advocacy an special projects. The Veteran Service Officer conducts peer counseling in order to assist veterans in obtaining VA funded treatments. The Veteran Service Officer manages services to a significantly diverse client base with a variety of needs.

The work is performed independently, within the regulations and policies of the state and federal governments, under the general supervision of the County Board.

Some Examples of Essential Duties

95% of Job Duties

• Respond in a professional and timely manner to general questions and inquiries about veterans programs.
• Oversees the maintenance of office records including file generation, data privacy provisions and retention policy standards.
• Interviews and counsels veterans and their families in regard to various veteran benefit programs, the preparation of a variety of forms, and investigation of veterans service histories.
• Assist veterans in enrolling in VA Healthcare and providing information regarding their healthcare benefits.
• Research medical conditions and obtain necessary medical records and physician statements to support claims.
• Aids Veterans/claimants in appealing adverse action by the Veteran’s Administration to the VA Regional Office and/or VA Board of Veterans Appeals.
• Prepare veteran and assist in obtaining necessary information. May need to accompany veteran to hearing if necessary.
• Prepare and submit claims, forms and documents for veterans/claimants to secure compensation or pension benefits from the VA.
• Frequent contact with veteran agencies and VA officials regarding claims and or changes in benefit programs.       
• Liaison to veteran organizations to present information regarding programs; prepares public information releases concerning new programs, program amendments, and existing program requirements.
• Crisis intervention and ward hand-off to emergency services or another agency.
• Education and Outreach at county and local events to inform the veterans, families and other stakeholders about benefits and programs.
• Assists in coordinating military funerals, memorial services, death benefits, widow and orphans benefits from state and federal agencies.
• Assist and advise veterans on all phases of government life insurance.
• Ensure all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
• Applies for and administer veteran’s grants to minimize cost to county for office equipment and salaries.
• Keeps current on state and federal legislative actions concerning veterans and implements appropriate changes in existing programs, new benefit programs or legislation that affects veterans.
• Presentations to community and veteran organizations regarding veteran programming, law changes, etc.
• Collaborate with non-profit organizations regarding poverty reduction, homeless, suicide prevention and other veteran initiatives.
• Advocate for veterans at V.A. Health Care Systems on any/all care they are receiving. This could include medical billing through the VA or contracted medical providers.
• Assist veterans with scheduling/re-scheduling appointments, in-patient, out-patient or placement within a VA facility for long-term care.
• Assist veterans with transportation needs.
• Prepares applications for temporary financial assistance from the State Soldier’s Assistance Program, Support the Troops and other agencies.
• Aid local vendors in getting reimbursed by V.A for services they have provided to eligible veterans.
• Attends all training and education requirements and testing necessary to become and remain certified by Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and all other service organizations who represent veterans in Minnesota.
• Maintains membership in Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
• Assist veterans with corrections to military records and upgrades to discharge records.
• Assist veteran retirees and dependents with TRICARE ID Card and retirement benefits.
• Maintain confidential records in accordance with HIPAA, data privacy laws and record retention policies.
• Assist veterans/survivors in apply for property tax exemptions and verify annually with Kanabec County Assessor’s Office.
• Case management of veterans with higher need levels or at risk veterans.
• Care coordination with veterans, families, facilities or other resources as directed by veteran need, ability level or other.
• Assist veterans/claimants with beneficiary travel claims.

5% of Job Duties

• Works according to good safety practices as posed, instructed and written in policy. Uses all safety devices. Reports any unsafe condition or act to their supervisor.
• Supervise the maintenance of office records, including file generation, data privacy provisions and retention policy standards.
• Provide information to deployed service member families and dependents about assistance programs. Work with family assistance centers regarding local deployed military members.
• Scheduling outreach events.
• Prepare reports for county and state as required or requested.
• Develop and present the annual budget for approval and operate within budget guidelines.
• Attend county board meetings to communicate caseloads, trends or factual information; meetings with other supervisory personnel to coordinate services.
• Lobby elected government officials and advocate for legislation beneficial to veterans and their dependents.
• Monitor staff performance, document and make corrections as necessary.
• Annual performance reviews of staff.
• Staff scheduling and approval of time-off requests.
• Delegation of duties to staff.
• Staff correction, coaching and discipline as necessary.
• Attend department head meetings.
• Provide staff training annually.
• Ensure staff meets accreditation training requirements annually.
• Coordinate mentor program for veteran’s court.
• Assist justice involved veterans coordinate programs directed by court and communicate with probation and attorneys as necessary.
• Request donations from local veteran service organizations for gas/grocery cards to meet need of community veterans and provide to those in need after completing need assessment.
• Coordinate with veterans and donors regarding equipment donations.
• Evaluate and recommend program needs and projects for additional resources.
• Recommends hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignments, rewards or discipline of employees at direction of the work and adjustment of other employees grievances on behalf of employer.
• Performs other work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to handle stressful situations is necessary
• Knowledge of modern business English and modern office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the US Department of Veteran Affairs and the MN Department of Veteran Affairs sufficiently to comply with them
• Working knowledge of medical terminology and medical conditions sufficient to understand the causes and interrelationships relevant to disease and disability
• Math skills sufficient to accurately calculate amounts of assistance, determine need and eligibility for benefit programs
• Ability to understand and interpret complex laws, rules and regulations and precedent court opinions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the disabled and/or mentally ill clients, veterans organizations other government agencies, other employees and the general public, clients, co-workers and other agencies as required
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned, and then prepare such materials in clear and logical form for oral and written presentations
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develops, maintains a thorough working knowledge of, and complies with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Performs all duties as required in a safe and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates by personal example the qualities inherent in public service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confers regularly with and keeps immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represents Kanabec County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

Kanabec County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: Group Health Insurance with VEBA Plan, Kavira Health, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care), HSA Plan, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Accident Insurance, Group Hospital Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, PTO (vacation, sick, personal leave), 12 paid holidays, Deferred Compensation Plans, Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

To view the available insurance and benefit options, click here.