Veteran Services Officer

General Description of Duties

NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAY GRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.

Under general direction, the purpose of the position is to perform administrative and supervisory work, counseling and advising Veterans, surviving spouses, and their dependents in claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or other Federal, State, or County agencies. Employees in this classification perform in an entry management capacity to ensure efficient and effective award of benefits. Work includes supervising communication and knowledge of client progress with benefit attainment, and providing informative counseling services with sensitive matters.

Essential Job Functions

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Coordinates and manages Veteran Service Office operations in support of departmental goals and objectives; coordinates activities with other departments and agencies as needed; assists with Director's duties in his/her absence.
• Oversees and conducts interviews and provides direction, information and counseling to assist veterans and their dependents, and dependents of deceased veterans in obtaining government benefits and assistance; advises clients of other benefits or services for which they may be eligible and assist in obtaining or referral to agency responsible for those benefits or services; explains terms and conditions of programs; monitors the status of claims.
• Assists veterans and the dependents of deceased veterans, in completion of applications for claims, providing assistance needed to obtain evidence required to support claims; clarifies inconsistent or incomplete awards, questions situations, and follows-up on delayed decisions awarding benefits.
• Performs a variety of complex and specialized administrative functions, e.g., analyzing applications, typing, reports processing, documentation verification; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for reports and recommendations; provides information to clients and/or supervisor.
• Acts as liaison between veterans and Veterans' Administration.
• Receives services inquiries and concerns, ascertaining the nature of the request, and resolving personally, directing it to the appropriate individual or department, or acting as liaison.
• Generates various specialized correspondence, articles, memos, agendas, orders, reports, forms, manuals, or other relevant materials appropriate to the assigned department.
• Maintains individual case files, current reference files of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and referral list required for office operations.
• Maintains a wide variety of detailed legal records and reports; collects and prepares various information; prepares legal documentation as required, i.e., case narratives, field case notes.
• Communicates with veterans, families, health care providers, Military Retirement Board, Civil Service Retirement Board, and social service agencies to ensure accurate documentation and efficient operations in attainment of benefits.
• May be required to work late and/or on evenings and weekends.
• Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Associate's Degree with coursework in business, social work, or related field; supplemented by two (2) years of responsible experience in social services functions, to include one (1) year of experience in Veterans' benefits; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Experience: In accordance with Florida Statute 292.11, must be a veteran who served as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States during a period of war, as defined in Title 38, U.S.C.; who served at least 18 months' active duty in the Armed Forces; and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran, or any honorably discharged wartime veteran who was so discharged for service-connected or aggravated medical reasons before serving 18 months of active duty; who completed a tour of duty other than active duty for training, regardless of the length of tour; or who satisfied his military obligation in a manner other than active duty for training or reserve duty.

Miscellaneous: Must attend the training program established by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and successfully complete a test administered by the department as a condition to employment.

Must complete an annual recertification training program and successfully complete an examination as a condition of remaining in employment.

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to effectively supervise a staff comprised of entry and journey level professionals engaged in carrying out departmental functions.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing veterans' benefits under Federal and State Statutes.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of human services programs; thorough knowledge of government benefits administration as it relates to veterans and their dependents, and dependents of deceased veterans.
• Ability to make independent decisions in applying standardized procedures to individual cases involving initial qualifications and continued eligibility development issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with all levels of management, employees, other departments, officials, and the general public; skill in the principles and techniques of customer service.
• Skill in preparing complex correspondence, summaries, and reports in a clear and concise manner; skill in business English, e.g., correspondence formats, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to access, operate, and maintain various software applications.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment e.g., computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.
• Skill in reading, updating, and maintaining various records and files; skill in complex administrative support functions, e.g., records maintenance, data analysis, reports processing, and documentation proofing.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Physical Demand: Sedentary

• 20 pounds maximum lifting.
• Occasional (up to 1/3 of the work time) lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Some occasional walking or standing may be required.
• If mostly sitting is involved will require push/pull on arm or leg controls.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
• Good eye sight for production or safety of self and others.
• Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping and reaching.
• Required to have clear vision at distance of 20 inches or less.
  
  

Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit the needs of our employees and their families. For additional information and details, visit the Osceola County Employee Benefits page.

01

Do you possess an Associate's Degree with coursework in business, social work, or a related field? (Education must be demonstrated in the "Education" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

02

Briefly explain and list your years of responsible experience in social services functions. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

03

Briefly explain and list your experience in veterans' benefits. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

04

In accordance with Florida Statute 292.11, eligible candidates must be a veteran who served as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States during a period of war, as defined in Title 38, U.S.C.; who served at least 18 months' active duty in the Armed Forces; and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran, or any honorably discharged wartime veteran who was so discharged for service-connected or aggravated medical reasons before serving 18 months of active duty; who completed a tour of duty other than active duty for training, regardless of the length of tour; or who satisfied his military obligation in a manner other than active duty for training or reserve duty. Do you meet one of these requirements? (Supporting documentation must be included with your Employment Application)

05

Do you possess a valid Driver's License? If yes, what state?

Required Question