Veterans Service Officer

POSITION: DEPARTMENT:

WORK SCHEDULE: JOB CATEGORY:

POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNTY OF KNOX, INDIANA

Veterans' Service Officer

Veterans' Service Office

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., M-F

PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

DATE WRITTEN: June 2006 DATE REVISED: May 2023

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must tomble to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Knox County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified emplovees and applicants with known disabilites who require accommodation to complete the application process or pertorm essential functions of the job. unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship

Incumbent serves sa Veterans' Service Officer for the Knox County Veterans' Service Office, responsible for providing assistance and information to eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors.

DUTIES:

Assists veterans, their spouses, dependents and/orsurvivors ni preparing claims to be presented before the Veterans Administration (VA), including claims of disability, insurance, education, or pension for benefits under federal, state or local laws. Prepares and maintains veteran records and submits claims and correspondence as required.

Prepares Power of Attorney ofr recognized service organizations as requested yb veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors.

Reviews Board decisions for grounds of appeal.

Coordinates with the VA and other government agencies and advises veterans on nisurance, vocational, and other maters.

Attends Veterans Organization meetings, prepares bulletins and other correspondence to acquaint post- service officers with current activities and legislation, and participates ni or initiates civic functions, such as panel discussions and mass communication programs. Educates the public regarding the rights and benefits of veterans and their spouses, and the various services available to them.

Provides veterans' services in various locations to accommodate special needs o fclients, including hospitals, detention facilities, nursing homes and residences.

Coordinates transportation needs of veterans for scheduled appointments at community based outpatient clinics and Veterans' Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), including scheduling the County Veterans' van and arranging for volunteer drivers.

Attends monthly VAMC meetings in order to stay abreast of changes in policies, practices, or procedures involving veteran outpatients, inpatients and contractual care.

Coordinates office services, such as personnel, budget preparation and control, housekeeping, records control and special management studies. Analyzes operating practices in order to improve work flow, simplify reporting procedures, implement cost reductions, create new systems and/or revise established procedures.

Reviews and answers correspondence and responds to telephone inquiries, including researching. copying and mailing information and records sa requested.

Maintains records of assistance provided to veterans, and prepares and submits activities summaries and statistical reports to the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), service organizations, and/or County officials as required or requested.

Prepares, files and processes applications for Certificates of Eligibility for Veterans Tax Exemption Entitlement Deductions and maintains current knowledge of any changes in rules, regulations and laws as they pertain to veterans' benefits and entitlements.

Supervises office staff, including conducting orientation of new employees, providing training/instruction, reviewing salaries and recommending changes, updating satf of organizational developments, analyzing workload and human resource needs, and interviewing/hiring job candidates.

Attends various meetings/workshops/conferences as necessary. Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or GED

Recognition as an honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Ability to successfully complete annual training conducted by the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, procedures and elgal aspects of al phases of Veterans Administration benefits and service programs, and ability ot implement such policies to meet the needs of veterans.

Knowledge o f the organizational and administrative structure of the Veterans Administration and ability to employ administrative processes in order to access tiles and records.

Familiarity with community resources and services available to veterans and their dependents from local agencies, groups and organizations, with ability to make referrals and assist veterans/dependents with obtaining resources/services as needed.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures and computer software applications used by the department, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.

Working knowledge of basic bookkeeping practices and standard accounting systems, with ability to develop and/or revise appropriate procedures, prepare/administer budgets, and accurately complete Financial/statistical reports and documents as required.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare newspaper publications, correspondence, and detailed written reports as required.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, copier, fax machine, and telephone.

Ability ot comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability ot provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and ni writing with co-workers, other County departments, Veterans Administration, other government agencies and organizations, community groups, veterans hospitals and medical clinics, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to supervise office staf, including conducting orientation fo new employees, providing training/instruction, reviewing salaries, updating staff of organizational developments, analyzing human resource needs. and interviewing/hiring joo candidates

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral or written instructions.

Ability to file, post, mail materials and maintain accurate and organized files and records.

Ability ot compile, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations, and present findings ni oral ro Written form

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, oftenno several tasks at the same time.

Ability ot participate in or initiate civic functions, such as panel discussions and mass communication programs, and plan and present public speaking presentations.

Ability to regularly work extended and/or evening hours and occasionally work weekends. Ability ot occasionally travel out fo town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs duties that are complex ni nature and require careful consideration of new and/or unusual circumstances, exercising judgment in assessing individual needs, filing claims for benefits, and referring services to veterans, their spouses, dependents or survivors. Decisions are frequently made with little or no guidance.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent applies specialized knowledge of veterans' services and benefits ni meeting hte needs of veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors, exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules, regulations, and legal requirements ot individual cases. Work is periodically reviewed for adherence to instructions/guidelines.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, Veterans Administration, IDVA, other government agencies and organizations, community groups, veterans' hospitals and medical clinics, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, and hte public for purpose of exchanging information, providing counseling and instruction, and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to the County Commissioners.

V. W O R K ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting for long periods, sitting/walking at will, keyboarding, close vision, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent regularly works extended and/or evening hours and occasionally works weekends. Incumbent occasionally travels out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $44,000.00 - $44,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $44,000 - $44,500