Assistant Veteran Service Officer

Brazoria County•Texas 77515, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Veteran Service Officer, the assistant will perform moderately complex work involving Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. The Assistant will interview, advise, and assist Brazoria County veterans and their dependents in understanding and obtaining federal, state, and local benefits, as well as provide information about available services and refer clients to appropriate resources. The shift is Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, with additional hours as the job requires. Essential duties include providing claim counseling and reviews to veterans and their dependents, listening to the needs of claimants, meeting with, advising, counseling, completing, and submitting VA claim paperwork, and performing data entry of claims and records for direct submittal to the VA. The role requires the ability to understand and apply Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rules and regulations, analyze and solve problems, and be skilled in the use of computers, tablets, and smartphones. The position involves composing correspondence, responding to inquiries from various parties regarding veterans benefits, submitting documents to agencies, advocating on behalf of veterans with the VA, logging interactions for reports, attending veteran functions, and providing briefings and services to care facilities. Travel may be required throughout the county.

Requirements

Must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
High school diploma or equivalent AND familiarity with veterans benefits programs and services; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience as determined by Human Resources.
Knowledge of military services, functions, and duties of military jobs.
Knowledge of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations and policies.
Knowledge of Veteran Organizations and their respective functions.
Knowledge of Code of Federal Regulations.
Knowledge of Department policies, procedures, and regulations.
Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies and organizations, community organizations, health care providers and the general public.
Skill in using initiative, discretion, and decision making, within established procedures, guidelines, and rules.
Skill in defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
Skill in providing effective customer service.
Skill in operating a personal computer and various software applications.
Will need to obtain accreditation as a claim representative with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Maintain annual Texas Veterans Commission certification within one year of employment.
Possession of a valid Texas State driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with veterans benefits programs and services

Responsibilities

Provide claim counseling and reviews to veterans and their dependents.
Interview, advise, and assist veterans and their dependents in understanding and obtaining federal, state, and local benefits.
Provide information about available services and refer clients to appropriate resources.
Listen to the needs of claimants.
Meet with, advise, counsel, complete, and submit VA claim paperwork.
Perform data entry of claims and records necessary for direct submittal to the VA.
Understand and apply Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rules and regulations when interviewing claimants, reviewing VA documents, and working cases.
Analyze and solve problems.
Compose various correspondence.
Answer and respond to phone calls, mail, and emails from veterans, veterans families, external organizations, and other parties regarding veterans benefits including education, home loans, health care, home care, and related topics.
Submit documents to various agencies regarding veterans services.
Email responses regarding veterans claims.
Make contact with the Veterans Administration to advocate on behalf of veterans.
Log all interactions for the compilation of statistics and activity reports.
Attend veterans functions and meetings on behalf of the Veteran Service Officer as needed.
Provide briefings, information, and services to home care facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes regarding veterans benefits as needed to include weekly check-ups on Veterans.
Travel may be required throughout various parts of the county as needed to support departmental operations, outreach events, and client services.