Veteran's Service Director

General Statement of Duties

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This position is directly responsible for the administration and overall management of the Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs, coordinating federal, state, and local programs to assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining and maintaining various veteran related benefits and resources. Prepares and manages all the department budgets and grant reports and to perform related work as required.

Supervision Received:

Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Administrator and the Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Committee in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Supervision Exercised

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Supervision is exercised over employees, work-study participants and volunteers assigned to assist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

An employee in this class may be called upon to do any or all of the following: These examples do not include all of the tasks which an employee may be expected to perform.

Supervise office personnel, make work assignments and oversee work performance.

Advocate and counsel veterans, surviving spouses and their dependents in the development, submission and maintaining of their compensation and/or pension claims, burial benefits, health care benefits, educational benefits and various other benefits and relate programs offered by the federal, state, and local laws performing as the chief Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

Complete, compile and submit benefit claims for veterans and their dependents, along with helping them navigate the claims process and provide case management.

Counsel clients in filing for lost military records, service medical records and medals/awards.

Complete applications for County burial benefits and government headstone placement allowances and make recommendations for approval or denial to the Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Committee based on State and County laws.

Act as an Authorized Agent to the Veterans’ Relief Fund (VRF) and the CVSF grant funded Peacetimer’s Relief Fund (PRF) and review requests for emergency financial assistance for those who are eligible.

Assist in coordinating transportation trips to/from the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor through the DAV Transportation Network.

Provide information on veteran’s benefits to interested groups and organizations.

Write policy and procedures for local veteran related programs to be implemented by the Lenawee County department of Veterans Affairs.

Prepare documents/reports and maintain training grants and grants to enhance the operation of the department, advertise services/benefits/resources and to better assist our local veterans.

Prepare and maintain budget reports for the department’s general fund, Veterans’ Relief fund, and County Veterans Service Fund grant.

Prepare and enter department accounts payable invoice batches, grant requisitions, budget reports into the county’s financial management system (Tyler).

In absence of the primary employee, may conduct timesheet/payroll hours entry into the County’s financial management system (Tyler), as backup.

In absence of the primary employee, may prepare and enter agendas, minutes and reports in CivicClerk, as backup.

Conduct data entry, scan uploads, and file veteran benefit related claims through a state-owned records management system as the chief Veterans Service Officer.

Serves as liaison between the department, the Executive Committee, local veterans organizations, networking agencies, and county municipalities to clarify and verify eligibility for veterans and surviving spouses for benefits and the disabled veteran’s property tax exemption.

Act as Deputy Clerk authorized to copy and certify veteran’s discharges and report of separation documents recorded with the County Clerk and maintained at the Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prepare and present reports, monthly expenditures and documents for the monthly Executive Committee meeting as the department head.

Perform responsible administrative duties requiring considerable knowledge of office procedures and the ability to operate related office equipment.

Attend veteran related functions, meetings and speaking engagements.

Prepare and maintain various correspondence, records and reports.

Perform related work as required.

Desirable Education, Experience and/or Qualifications

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An employee in this class, upon appointment should have the equivalent of the following training, qualifications and/or experience.

Equivalent to possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Sociology, or other related field of the work and /or three years of progressively more responsible experience in veterans benefits counseling including prior administrative, financial and supervisory experience.

Within the first year this employee most successfully complete and pass a course of instruction as prescribed by 38 code of Federal Regulation 14.629 (a)(1)(i)(ii) and receive a certificate from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs/VA authorizing the employee to present claims before the VA.

This employee must annually maintain continuing education units (CEU’s) to sustain accreditation to support the qualification to obtain and possess a government issued PIV card to access the VA’s records management system(s).

Reasonable knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to veteran’s benefits.

Ability to prepare accurate written/typed applications, claims and reports,

Computer skills are necessary to effectively utilize word processing, spreadsheet and accounting software systems and the ability to be trained on a specific software program.

Ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, fax machine, calculator and other office equipment as required.

Ability to coordinate and supervise the work of others.

Ability to work effectively with the public, with other employees and challenging clients.

Veteran preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities:

Work is primarily indoors and requires sitting for extended periods.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

Must be able to hear and speak over the phone and in one-on-one communication needs.

Must be able to see, hear and speak effectively and without limitations.

Must be able to stand or sit in one spot for long periods of time, moving arms, hands, back and entire body.

Must be able to reach, bend or squat and use step stools to access files.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Department: Veteran's Affairs
Position #: 11908
Overtime Exempt: Yes
Union: Non-Union/Full-Time (37.50 hours per week, 1,950 hours per year)
Pay Grade: (Starting hourly rate listed on the posting)
Work Location: Human Services Building, 1040 S. Winter Street, Adrian, MI

Fringe benefits include:

• Health Insurance - Eligible employees have an option between five (5) Simply Blue health plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Employee premium requirements vary by plan type
• Dental Insurance - Delta Dental of Michigan. Employer paid premium
• Vision Insurance - Optional. Employee and Employer split monthly premium 50%/50%
• Life Insurance - Employer paid premium
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment - Employer paid premium
• Short Term Disability - Employer paid premium
• Long Term Disability - Employer paid premium
• Defined Contribution 401(a) Money Purchase Plan - Mandatory participation 5% employee / 5% employer funded.
• Accumulated paid leave
• Various holidays
• SmartDollar Financial Wellness Program

Additional employment information may be found at

https://www.lenawee.mi.us/303/Human-Resources

LENAWEE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER