Veterans Service Officer

Incumbent serves as Veterans’ Service Officer for the Morgan County Veterans Services Office, responsible for providing assistance and information to eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors filing for pension, compensation, medical benefits, and other benefits according to IC 10-5-1-11.

DUTIES:

Oversees department operations, including periodically analyzing workload, interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions, reviewing salaries and recommending personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, or demotions, determining significant changes in responsibilities, and communicating and administering personnel programs and procedures.

Supervises assigned staff, including providing orientation, planning, delegating, and controlling work assignments, establishing specific work goals, maintaining discipline and recommending corrective action as warranted, and keeping supervisor and assigned staff informed of organizational developments.

Assists veterans and/or their dependents in filing for benefits, including gathering information for claims, researching cases to determine applicable laws, eligibility and claim status, and preparing forms as needed. Assess medical records verifying/checking if illness or injury incurred in service to assist in establishing eligibility for VA benefits.

Assimilates and disseminates current VA information, including maintaining up-to-date resource materials.

Prepares and submits appropriate reports, forms, and statistics to Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and Morgan County Commissioners.

Appears at assisted living facilities, hospital or home of veteran to file paperwork.

Handles widow claims based on death of a veteran, working with funeral homes getting discharge papers for military funeral and requesting grave marker for veterans.

Assists local Veterans organizations.

Attends accreditation training yearly, including veterans meetings, seminars, and workshops.

Provides technical assistance to local government agencies.

Maintains files and filing system, including maintaining diary system on claimants and assistance provided.

Prepares and monitors office budget, and payroll.

Answers telephone and greets office visitors, determining nature of call, providing information, assistance, and direction, and receiving and answering mailings.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or GED, with one (1) to two (2) years previous relevant experience, or any combination of education, training and experience.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Must be a citizen of the State of Indiana and be honorably discharged from the United States Military Service with at least six (6) month service and must be accredited by Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and required T.R.I.P. training.

Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend and correctly use a variety of informational documents, including various VA forms, service records, benefit letters/updates, medical records, and other reports and records.

Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend a variety of reference books and manuals such as Veterans Health Benefits Handbook, IDVA manuals/guides, Indiana Code, and Veterans Service Handbook.

Working knowledge of bookkeeping practices and principles, and ability to perform arithmetic calculations to prepare purchase orders, payroll claims, budget and salary requests, and payroll documents.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures and basic computer skills, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.

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

Knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and complete Department files/records.

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

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, hospital staff, nursing facilities personnel, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

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

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

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral or written instructions and present finding in oral or written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.

Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, often under time pressure.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and/or locations, and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to occasionally plan and present public speaking presentations, fund raisers, and special events.

Ability to regularly work extended hours, and weekends, occasionally work evenings, and occasionally travel out of town for conferences, sometimes overnight.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs duties that are complex in 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 from supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent applies specialized knowledge of veterans’ services and benefits in meeting the needs of veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors, exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules, regulations, and legal requirements to individual cases. Work is periodically reviewed for attainment of objectives.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, hospital staff, nursing facilities personnel, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, providing explanation/instruction and counseling, and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to County Commissioners.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in an standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, crouching/kneeling, pushing/pulling objects, bending, reaching, driving, close/far vision, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent occasionally works weekend and occasionally travels out of town for conferences, sometimes overnight.

OTHER:

The Veterans Service Officer position is a political appointive position of the County Commissioners. Specific job duties and job requirements are established at the discretion of the County Commissioners. A person appointed to the Veterans Service Officer position serves at the pleasure of the County Commissioners, works exclusively for the County Commissioners and may be terminated by the County Commissioners at any time.