What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterans Service Officer position at La Plata County?
Provides assistance to veterans & their families with accessing benefits, filing claims, & establishing supportive services. Must be skillful in dealing with sensitive & confidential issues, possess effective communication & computer skills, be able to work independently & use sound judgement. Requirements: HS diploma or GED; veteran of a branch of US military; resident of CO, at least one year of experience working w/ the public; possess a valid DL; be a certified County Veterans Service Officer or have the ability to become certified.
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
Assists veterans, surviving spouses, guardians or any other persons who may have a proper claim in requesting and/or receiving various benefits and services, including but not limited to insurance, pension, disability compensation, home loans, death benefits, educational assistance, and vocational rehabilitation.
Coordinates enrollment in health care benefits; assists with arrangements for transportation to medical appointments.
Refers veterans and family members to other supportive resources, including local, regional, state, and national organizations.
Provides outreach to veterans in outlying areas of the community and going to veterans who cannot come to the office.
Maintains confidential client information and provides requested information to the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Board of County Commissioners.
Maintains current knowledge of military legislation, regulations, and precedents relating to benefits; keeps appropriate materials for reference.
Maintains contacts in the military and veteran communities to facilitate and improve services offered by the Veterans Service Office. Makes presentations communicating veterans’ benefits.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Material And Equipment Used
General Office equipment
Computer
Vehicle
Education And Experience
High School diploma or GED; and,
Service in the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard or any auxiliary branch thereof and been honorably discharged; or be a discharged LGBT veteran, or be an officer released from active duty and placed on inactive duty; and,
A minimum of one year of experience working with the public.
A resident of the state of Colorado.
If an individual hired as the La Plata County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) is not certified as a County Veterans Service Officer through the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, his/her continued employment as the CVSO is conditional on his/her becoming certified as a County Veterans Service Officer through the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Licenses And Certifications
Valid Colorado Driver's License
Certification as a Colorado County Veterans Service Officer
Knowledge Of
Applicable federal, state and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
Veterans benefits and supportive services available locally, regionally, and nationally.
Multi-cultural issues and differences.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Internal departmental policies and procedures.
External governmental bodies and agencies related to area of assignment.
Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
Skill In
Maintaining confidentiality.
Communicating with disabled and senior citizens.
De-escalating angry and distraught individuals.
Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other individuals in order to give and receive information in a clear and courteous manner.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Ability To
Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
Ability to de-escalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as rules and regulations manuals, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
Ability to collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Statement
La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. La Plata County takes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
1101 E 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (970)382-6361
Fax: (970)375-7985
Email: HR@co.laplata.co.us
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
Assists veterans, surviving spouses, guardians or any other persons who may have a proper claim in requesting and/or receiving various benefits and services, including but not limited to insurance, pension, disability compensation, home loans, death benefits, educational assistance, and vocational rehabilitation.
Coordinates enrollment in health care benefits; assists with arrangements for transportation to medical appointments.
Refers veterans and family members to other supportive resources, including local, regional, state, and national organizations.
Provides outreach to veterans in outlying areas of the community and going to veterans who cannot come to the office.
Maintains confidential client information and provides requested information to the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Board of County Commissioners.
Maintains current knowledge of military legislation, regulations, and precedents relating to benefits; keeps appropriate materials for reference.
Maintains contacts in the military and veteran communities to facilitate and improve services offered by the Veterans Service Office. Makes presentations communicating veterans’ benefits.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Material And Equipment Used
General Office equipment
Computer
Vehicle
Education And Experience
High School diploma or GED; and,
Service in the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard or any auxiliary branch thereof and been honorably discharged; or be a discharged LGBT veteran, or be an officer released from active duty and placed on inactive duty; and,
A minimum of one year of experience working with the public.
A resident of the state of Colorado.
If an individual hired as the La Plata County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) is not certified as a County Veterans Service Officer through the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, his/her continued employment as the CVSO is conditional on his/her becoming certified as a County Veterans Service Officer through the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Licenses And Certifications
Valid Colorado Driver's License
Certification as a Colorado County Veterans Service Officer
Knowledge Of
Applicable federal, state and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
Veterans benefits and supportive services available locally, regionally, and nationally.
Multi-cultural issues and differences.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Internal departmental policies and procedures.
External governmental bodies and agencies related to area of assignment.
Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
Skill In
Maintaining confidentiality.
Communicating with disabled and senior citizens.
De-escalating angry and distraught individuals.
Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other individuals in order to give and receive information in a clear and courteous manner.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Ability To
Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
Ability to de-escalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as rules and regulations manuals, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
Ability to collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Statement
La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. La Plata County takes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
1101 E 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (970)382-6361
Fax: (970)375-7985
Email: HR@co.laplata.co.us