Veterans Claim Representative I/II

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists veterans and their dependents in the initiation, development, and processing of claims for disability compensation, pensions, insurance benefits, vocational rehabilitation, hospitalization, medical care, loan guarantee benefits, and civil service benefits.
• Procures necessary information and affidavits to support claims.
• Enters veteran/claimant data into computer system to establish a data base for the system.
• Works with public and private community agencies in counseling veterans.
• Provides instruction, guidance and technical advice to other employees and reviews their work for adequacy and accuracy.
• Prepares and files claims and presents appeals as necessary and prepares required reports.

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

Experience:

One (1) year of responsible experience in work involving public contact, interviewing or counseling or closely related field.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of two (2) years of college. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required two (2) years of college on a year-for-year basis.

Level II

Experience:

Two (2) years of responsible experience in work involving public contact, interviewing or counseling or closely related field.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of two (2) years of college. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required two (2) years of college on a year-for-year basis.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motions.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination
• Occasionally operate a motor vehicle
• Occasionally lift up to 10 pounds
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to situations.
  Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State and local laws and regulations pertaining to veterans rights, benefits and obligations.
• Interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Community resources generally available to those in need of aid.
• Supervisory techniques.
• Evidence as it pertains to Veterans Administration hearings and appeal procedures.

Ability to:

• Interpret requirements for evidence as it pertains to Veterans requirements for evidence as it pertains to Veterans Administration hearings and appeal procedures.
• Interpret Federal and State laws governing veteran's benefits.
• Analyze data and draw sound conclusions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted.
• Communicate effective, both orally and in writing.
• Research, analyze, and develop documentation for claims.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

State Disability Insurance (SDI)

Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.

LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources