Veterans Service Officer Trainee (Livingston County Residents Only)

RESIDENCY– Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:

• Livingston County

This is a Trainee professional position involving work with military veterans and their dependents or survivors.  Work involves learning from the Director of Veterans Service Agency and/or Veterans Service Officer related to assisting, counseling and advising claimants in their pursuit of benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies.  Duties include studying State and Federal veterans legislation, regulations and procedures; learning to prepare veterans benefit claims and consulting with other government agencies to ensure that their clientele are receiving the maximum level of assistance and benefits to which they are entitled.  Work is performed in the office and in the field.  Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of the assigned supervisor.  A Veterans Service Officer Trainee does related work as assigned.

• Assists with interviewing veterans and their dependents, reviewing the veterans’ military, social, and medical history to gather accurate information pertinent to the claim in various private settings to include the claimant’s residence, nursing home or assisted living facility;
• Learns about the preparation of necessary forms for benefits such as compensation, pension, insurance, education and hospitalization;
• Learns about researching, locating, interpreting, and conveying appropriate official rules of law in order to develop and maintain successful claims;
• Learns how to consult with medical care providers concerning specific benefits to which veterans or their dependents may be entitled and learns how to assist the individuals in obtaining these benefits;
• Learns about advising claimants regarding other benefits to which they may be entitled, vocational rehabilitation and other forms of public assistance;
• Responsible for accurate data entry to prevent potential omission of error and/or unintentional harm in the claim application process on behalf of the claimant; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Working knowledge of the benefits and services available to veterans and their dependents, and of State and Federal laws and regulations; working knowledge of Local, State and Federal laws regarding confidentiality; knowledge of the principles and methods of interviewing; knowledge of available community resources and agencies, both public and private; skill in interviewing; skill in computer use; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with veterans and their dependents, community organizations and the general public; ability to explain Federal, State and Local veterans’ legislation; ability to operate standard office equipment such as a calculator, computer, etc. for use in the preparation of forms, reports, and necessary correspondence; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to keep accurate, clear, legible records and make reports; ability to enter and move within private residences; tact and courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:

Qualification Option #	1	2
Training/Education	Possession of an Associate’s Degree[1][2] from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university.	Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.
General experience	N.A.	One year of paid experience assisting at-risk populations, active military or veterans.
Supervisory experience	None required
License/ Certification	Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
Other requirements	See Special Requirements below; AND See Special Qualifications below.

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.
[1] A higher level degree is also acceptable.
[2] Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.  If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency.   A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.  You must pay the required evaluation fee.

1. The incumbent must be a veteran as described in section 350 of the New York State Executive Law (i.e. a person, male or female resident of the state, who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States during a war in which the United States engaged and who has been released from such service otherwise than by dishonorable discharge, or has been furloughed to the reserve).
2. Within twenty-four months of appointment, the appointee must obtain accreditation as a veteran services organization representative from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their family members in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for benefits pursuant to section 5902 of Title 38 U.S. Code and section 14.628 of Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Appropriate accreditation must be maintained throughout employment.
2. An appropriate driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment.
3. A driving record evidencing safe and responsible vehicle operation is required.
4. Must authorize and execute any necessary releases to enable the appointing authority to verify licensure and driving history involving violations and/or crimes.

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT NOTICE:
An individual who receives a provisional appointment must take the examination for the position title on the next occasion it is offered. In order to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the position, the provisional appointee must pass the exam and be ranked 1, 2, 3, or be tied in score with the individual ranked number 3 of those who are willing to accept appointment to the position. It should be understood that even if the provisional appointee is eligible for appointment, the employer may choose another candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis. Questions regarding provisional appointments should be directed to the Livingston County Human Resources Department.

Salary : $24 - $28