Assistant Veterans Service Officer

County of Marathon•Wausau, WI

21h•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides direct assistance to Marathon County Veterans, dependents, or survivors regarding benefit availability and eligibility. Work requires extensive knowledge and technical expertise regarding VA benefits, services, claims processing and eligibility for compensation. Work often requires communicating with federal, state, and county entities in connection with benefit eligibility determinations and claim submission. This position works independently, providing accurate information regarding veterans benefits and compensation. Duties include providing technical information and education on Veterans benefits, meeting with Veterans and families to understand needs, providing claims expertise and assistance for VA claims, interviewing Veterans and families for accurate documentation, safeguarding confidential information (HIPAA, PII), providing information on VA pension types, disability ratings, appeals, DIC, and survivor benefits. The role also involves preparing affidavits and official documents, acquiring public documents (vital records, military, medical, financial), working with other County Departments (Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Finance, ADRC), processing State and Federal veteran benefits (burial, medical, education), representing the Department at community events, maintaining VA Accreditation to access databases (VIMS, VBMS, VBATS), utilizing Microsoft Office and other computer applications, attending meetings/training, and performing VSO duties in the VSO's absence.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Services; related degree or the ability to obtain degree within one year of hire required.
A minimum of three years related work experience.
Related work experience should include interviewing customers, researching individual eligibility, and processing claims or similar.
Must be a veteran as defined by Wisconsin Statute 45.01.
Must obtain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs General Counsel Accreditation within one (1) year of hire.
Valid driver license with a driving record that meets County standards.
Ability to maintain a thorough knowledge of changes and updates within the VA system as applicable to Veterans benefits and services.
Ability to independently make decisions in accordance with Department policies and VA guidelines while maintaining confidentiality and security of information and documents.
Skilled in listening, observing, gathering facts, and recording information accurately and objectively.
Skilled in utilizing technical computer software programs and a variety of applications to process and complete work.
Ability to learn and use complex criteria and standards applicable for a wide variety of Veterans benefits and services.
Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing ( e.g., in-person, by phone, email, mail).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and customers while responding timely and professionally to their needs.
Ability to work with members of the public in a respectful manner in accordance with Marathon County established values and goals.
Ability to contribute to a positive work culture that fosters excellent customer service and professional service.
Maintain knowledge of local veteran service organizations and make referrals as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Preferable experience in an area related to government benefits administration, especially Veterans benefits.
Experience developing operational policies and training clerical staff.

Responsibilities

Provides technical information and education regarding a wide range of Veterans benefits and programs with an in-depth knowledge of these services.
Meets regularly with Veterans and their families to understand their needs and help them understand the types of benefits for which they may be eligible to receive.
Provides claims expertise and assistance to individuals when filing claims with the Veteran Administration (VA).
Independently interviews Veterans and their families to ensure accurate and complete documentation is submitted to the VA, as well as communicate directly with related agencies when clarification is needed and provides periodical follow-up when required.
Receives, processes, and enters data while safeguarding confidential information in accordance with HIPAA law, personal protected information security guidelines and county policy.
Provides information in the areas of VA pension types, service-connected disability ratings, decision appeals, dependency indemnity compensation (DIC) and survivor benefits.
Prepares affidavits and official documents as well acquire public documents, vital records, military records, medical, social, psychological, and financial information, etc., from claimant’s employers, financial intuitions, insurance companies, commercial vendors, creditors etc. as required to fulfill claimant obligations.
Works directly with other County Departments such as Register of Deeds (requesting death, birth and marriage records), County Clerk (mailings, updating postage), Finance (payroll and accounts payable), and Aging & Disability Resource Center (referring Veterans for other county services, obtaining materials).
Processes State and Federal veteran benefits such as burial benefits, medical/health care services, educations, and others.
Represents the Department at Marathon County community events, participates in outreach efforts and other initiatives deemed appropriate as assigned by the VSO.
Maintains VA Accreditation to access confidential and secure Veterans Administration databases to process requests, claims and view benefits as needed ( e.g. , VIMS, VBMS, VBATS, and others.)
Utilizes Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.), Marathon County Website, Workday, Vital Records, Laserfiche and other computer applications to perform daily job duties.
Attends staff meetings, participates in required training/conferences and completes annual VA accreditation requirements.
Performs VSO duties in his/her absence by being an advocate for Marathon County Veterans and their families.
Performs other duties as assigned.