Veterans Representative I

WHO WE ARE:
The Wood County Veterans Service Office has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a passion to help the veterans of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER:
In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:

• Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Income Continuation Insurance
• Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Incentive Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

GENERAL FUNCTION
This position provides claims representation services to military veterans, dependents and survivors regarding their rights and responsibilities under state and federal veterans’ laws, to include: advocacy, interviewing, advising and claims processing and general clerical support.

RESPONSIBILITIES
A. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Provide representation services to individuals in claims for a wide array of state and federal veterans’ benefits.
2. Advise individuals of their legal rights and responsibilities under federal and state veterans’ laws.
3. Interview individuals regarding claimed services and to determine other unarticulated needs which could be met using state of federal veterans’ programs. Case manages clients through the complex process involving veterans’ benefits, ensuring timely coordination, accurate documentation, and effective support throughout each stage of the process.
4. Gather evidence in support of claims for various disability programs, pension programs, education programs, home loan programs, various medical and vocational rehabilitation programs, insurance programs, homeless veterans, suicide/crisis, survivor benefits, burial benefits and health care benefits under the authority of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA); education grants/programs, veterans identifier, outreach and recovery, disabled veterans and survivor property tax credit, subsistence grants, and the Wisconsin Veterans Home, under the authority of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and, other veterans programs under Wisconsin state statues (Department of Transportation, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Revenue, and the University /Technical College system etc.).
5. Advise on the procedures for obtaining benefits by explaining regulations, policies, determinations and forms processing procedures of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Wood County Veterans Service Office.
6. Advise and assist individuals in preparing state and federal forms and other legal documents required to obtain benefits and to fulfill obligations.
7. Analyze applications for benefits and entitlement using knowledge of the rules and regulations to determine qualifications for benefits and entitlements or liability for obligations, and for completeness and correctness.
8. Maintains:
a. Files for claimants’ records and other records alphabetically, subjectively and chronologically.
b. Lobby area general tidiness, pamphlets/magazines orderly and up to date.
c. Digital display with current events and program information.
9. Investigate errors or delays in processing procedures for benefits, to correct or expedite claims process.
10. Coordinate claims with federal, state, county, and private sector agencies, to facilitate claims processing and to insure that claimant’s financial, social and psychological interests are best served.
11. Review all federal and state decisions for correctness/accuracy under appropriate laws/regulations/medical evidence. If necessary, prepare arguments to submit with appropriate appeal.
12. Performs receptionist duties as necessary.
13. Responsible to know and practice the safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
14. Performs light housekeeping duties not provided by courthouse contracted housekeeping.
15. Performs all duties with respect for all individuals. Safeguards private personal information (identity, medical, financial, and other items) in accordance with state and federal laws/regulations.
16. Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.

B. OTHER DUTIES
1. Acquire public documents, vital records, military records; medical, social, psychological and financial information, etc., from claimant’s employers, credit unions, banks, insurance companies, commercial vendors, creditors, co-signers; and from the Register of Deeds, Treasurer's offices, bureaus of vital statistics, etc., which are required to fulfill claimant obligations.
2. Other duties as may be assigned by the Veterans Service Officer.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS
Associate degree in business or behavioral sciences and two years interviewing or paraprofessional customer service experience required. Must pass federal background check. Must become accredited within eight months accreditation by completing annual continuing education (usually conducted out of the area consisting of 5 days of offsite training) by the VA Office of General Council to represent Veterans before the VA IAW 38 Code of Federal Regulations 14.629. Basic everyday living skills are needed, as is the ability to understand and follow complex oral and written directions, and effectively communicate. Reading and writing is needed for interpreting and explaining laws, regulations, and to write concise, logical claims requests. Expertise in basic mathematics is needed to calculate financial needs, debt servicing, etc. Demonstrated competency in general office practices and procedures. Typing skills of 30 w.p.m. preferred. Basic awareness of community and other private and public resources. Demonstrated ability to function under stressful situations such as those involving claimant death, disability, financial or other type of personal loss. Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, automated forms processing and Internet web browsers, e-mail, and other applications as required.