Benefits Counselor – Department of Veteran Affairs – Ingham/Clinton County Locations - Grant Funded

Under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Ingham County Department of Veteran Affairs, the employee in this position will provide in-person and virtual counselling services to veterans and their dependents. The employee in this position will advise and assists veterans, their survivors and dependents in applying for claims and benefits available under Federal, State, and local laws.

1. Conducts interviews with veterans and their dependents and reviews background data on current medical and financial history to obtain information needed to determine eligibility for Federal, State, and local laws; provides explanation and interpretation of laws and regulation for benefits available to veterans and their dependents.
2. Evaluates information to determine potential eligibility of clients for benefits from related programs (e.g., Social Security, welfare and vocational rehabilitation), identifies client problems and provides solutions to material, financial, medical and social needs within the framework of department guidelines.
3. Prepares and assists in the preparation of claims packages for veterans and their dependents seeking disability, education, medical, and related benefits; completes claim forms and ensures proper certification of related documentation based upon the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) laws and regulations; assists in developing formal appeals, and representing veterans and their dependent’s to U.S Board of Veteran Appeals.
4. Create and manage case files, maintain client’s electronic records and upload documents into client files; prepares monthly and quarterly reports as requested by the director.
5. Assist veterans and their dependents in applying for assistance from other community service agencies providing assistance for veterans; maintains liaison with community partners to remain aware of community resources offered.
6. Serves as program and benefits representative in a designated geographical area; develops and or presents informational speeches, benefits awareness fairs, programs, and problem-solving sessions to increase awareness of veterans benefits and programs; responds to veterans, dependents, legislators, and veterans service organizations regarding benefit questions.
7. Attends all required education (virtually and in-person) and training to obtain and maintain accreditation; stay abreast of changes within Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; provides explanation and interpretation of laws and regulations for veterans and their dependents.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description. 

(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Education & Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Business Administration or related discipline. At least one (1) year of full time work experience in counseling with considerable experience as a Veterans Counselor and two (2) year of experience in counseling veterans and others about veteran benefits, public assistance, employment, vocational programs, health care, personal counseling, or directly related field that includes supervisory or manager experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and /or experience.

 OR

 An Associate’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Business Administration or a related field.  At least 5 years of experience in counseling veterans and others about veteran benefits, public assistance, employment, vocational programs, health care, personal counseling, or directly related field that includes supervisory or manager experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and /or experience.

 Other Requirements:  

• Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (preferred) and have a discharged under honorable conditions.
• Knowledge of: laws, rules and regulations regarding veterans’ benefits; veteran service organizations, their structure, programs and services.
• The ability to maintain and established effective relationships with clients, service organization representatives, professional contacts; prepare and process routine reports; operate computer systems and programs.
• Ability to understand medical terminology and language; communicate under adverse conditions with distressed individuals; make decisions under adverse conditions in the accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Membership in the Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors; accreditation with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) and any Congressionally Charted Veterans Service Organization that is currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
• Must maintain accreditation in accordance with VA Office of General Counsel.
• Possess a valid State of Michigan operator license and maintain this license throughout employment in this position.
• Due to the nature of this work hours are flexible, although normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. However, an employee in this classification may be called upon to attend meetings and community events at locations throughout the county on a regular basis.

 (The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

1. This position works in an indoor environment. There is no planned exposure to prominent lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions.
2. This position is exposed to communicable diseases.
3. This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, have violent tendencies or be unconcerned with their personal safety and hygiene.
4. This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments.

Physical Requirements: 

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position’s physical requirements require periodic stamina in twisting, bending, stooping/crouching, kneeling, crawling, handling, and pinching.
• This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina in traversing, climbing, balancing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping.
• This position’s physical requirements require continuous stamina in sitting, standing, walking, typing, and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position performs sedentary work requiring a negligible amount of effort in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

September 2022

MC 9

Salary : $68,401