Veterans Services Officer

Salary : $56,594.07 - $90,324.66 AnnuallyLocation : Plantation, FLJob Type : Full-TimeJob Number : 1413507Department : HumSvcs Elder&Vet Vet ServicesOpening Date : 02 / 28 / 2025Closing Date : 3 / 3 / 2025 5 : 00 PM EasternVeterans' Preference Notice : Under Section 295.07, Florida Statutes, certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment with Broward County and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCESThe Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for a Veterans Services Officer position.General DescriptionThe purpose of the classification is to educate and assist veterans and their families regarding Veteran Administrative benefits.Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.Minimum Education and Experience RequirementsRequires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, sociology, counseling, public or business administration or closely related field.Requires one (1) year in veterans service work or closely related experience.Must be an honorably discharged veteran, or a veteran who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran.Special Certifications and LicensesCertification as a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs prior to completion of the probationary period. Certification is a mandatory and annual requirement.Must possess a valid Florida Class E Driver's License and be able to obtain and maintain authority to drive on County business.Preferences

• Masters Degree in related field
• Current certification as a Veterans Service Officer
• Two (2) or more years experience using VetraSpec database
• Bilingual : English / Spanish DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.This is professional casework involving intake, needs assessment and counseling of veterans, their spouse, and / or their dependents. Work involves advising and assisting veterans and their dependents on matters pertaining to their rights and benefits under various federal and state statutes. Employees in this class exercise independent judgment within the general framework of good casework techniques, existing laws and established agency policy. Work is reviewed through evaluation of case records, reports and conferences for adherence to established policy and procedures.
• Conducts assessment interviews; determines client's eligibility for veteran's benefits; provides limited-term counseling.
• Advises and assists veterans or their dependents in presenting claims for disability compensation, death or injury insurance, and other claims for benefits under federal and state statutes; prepares claim forms and assembles pertinent information to establish the validity of the claim. Reviews claims information, briefs, pertinent records and evidence, and prepares application packets as needed.
• Develops comprehensive case plans; develops and maintains case files.
• Represents claimants before various officials as necessary to establish benefits.
• Networks with doctors, health care providers, lawyers, employers and other agency professionals relative to needs and opportunities for disabled veterans.
• Provides outreach, limited support counseling and case management services for veterans and their dependents.
• May make site visits to clients, service providers, or community agencies for outreach or to explain agency services or benefits as required.
• Prepares and presents talks to veteran and civic groups and allied agencies on matters pertaining to veterans' affairs; contacts employers relative to employment opportunities for disabled veterans.
• Prepares narrative and technical reports using a personal computer, using basic office, Department and / or Division-specific software applications.
• Attends staff meetings, conferences and in-service training.
• Serves as a member of the United Way of Broward County's Mission United Advisory Board.
• Performs related work as assigned. WORK ENVIRONMENTPhysical DemandsPhysical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.None. SPECIAL INFORMATION CompetenciesManages ComplexityMakes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.Action OrientedTakes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. Takes immediate, decisive, independent action to resolve issues or problems. Persists as needed. Quickly and consistently identifies and pursues beneficial new opportunities.Plans and AlignsPlans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Strengthens alignment and coordination between own work and others', providing well-sequenced activities and exact time frames. Foresees and resolves many potential bottlenecks and delays.Ensures AccountabilityHolds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Tracks performance and strives to remain effective, learning from both successes and failures. Readily takes on challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments.Interpersonal SavvyRelates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. Picks up on group interpersonal dynamics and finds ways to work effectively within these parameters; resolves difficult interpersonal situations within the team; works to build greater group harmony. Coaches team members on interpersonal skills.Communicates EffectivelyDevelops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.Courage Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. Shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed.County Core ValuesAll Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.Collaborates : Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.Customer focus : Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.Instills trust : Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.Values differences : Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ComplianceBroward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.Emergency Management ResponsibilitiesNote : During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.County-wide Employee ResponsibilitiesAll Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.Broward is a dynamic county that offers an exciting, stable career with incredible employee benefits such as 11 annual holidays, accrued annual / vacation and sick leave, FRS retirement, $50,000 of free life insurance, training and development, and participation eligibility in a deferred compensation (457) plan with a match up to $2,600. In addition, Broward County offers 2 health plans, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a County-funded Health Savings Account (HSA), and a Consumer Driven Health plan (CDH), Dental insurance, Vision insurance and Section 125 Flexible spending accounts for Medical Expenses and Dependent Care. Part-time 20 benefit eligible employees receive the benefits described above at a reduced amount. 01 Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, sociology, counseling, public or business administration or closely related field? Yes No 02 Do you have at least one (1) year of experience in veterans service work or other field closely related to this assignment? Yes No 03 Are you an honorably discharged veteran, or a veteran who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran? Yes No 04 Do you have a certification as a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs or able to obtain prior to completion of the probationary period? Yes No 05 Will you possess a valid Florida Class E Driver's License and be able to obtain and maintain authority to drive on County business? Yes No 06 Are you willing to travel and conduct field work in different parts of Broward County? Yes No 07 Have you ever worked with veterans and or their dependents in any capacity? Yes No 08 The work hours are from 8 : 30 AM to 4 : 30 PM or 8 : 30 AM to 5 : 00 PM form Monday through Friday; are you willing to work any of these hours? Yes No Required Question

Salary : $56,594 - $90,325