County Veterans Service Officer

Le Sueur County Career•Le Center, MN

6d•$37 - $52

About The Position

Performs complex administrative work directing, supervising and providing services aimed at helping Veterans to obtain benefits through local, state, federal or other agencies, maintaining records and reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Evaluate and assess the success of the services provided and recommend additional services as needed. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the County Commissioners and County Administrator. Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department. Full-Time & Part-Time employment will be considered for this position.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing Veterans programs and benefits
Ability to deal with people who have various mental, socio-economic and risk levels
Ability to deal with hostile, potentially unstable and sometimes unkempt persons in a calm and effective manner
Comprehensive skill and coordination of services for Veterans and evaluation of gaps in services
Comprehensive knowledge of community organizations, agencies and facilities related to Veterans affairs
Thorough skill using standard computer equipment and related hardware and software
Thorough skill filling out benefit forms and relating necessary data to agencies
Thorough skill using standard database programs
Comprehensive knowledge composing general correspondence and standard correspondence related to claims
Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals
Shall be able to compute rates, ratios and percentages
Multi task
Direct and supervise staff
Understand, interpret and apply technical rules, directives and regulations
Deal with officials, Veterans, dependents and others fairly and effectively
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates
Prepare reports and maintain records
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, service providers, federal agency representatives, medical facilities and the general public.
Bachelor's degree and considerable knowledge of the operations/culture of the military, Veteran advocacy, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Prior to hire, must be a Veteran as defined by Minnesota State Statutes, Section 197.447.
Valid driver's license in the State of Minnesota.
Within one year of hire, accredited through the National Veterans Service Officer Association and other national service organizations.
Ability to maintain certifications and accreditations through ongoing education.
Prior to hire, must be a Veteran as defined by Minnesota Statue Statues, Section 197.447 (Must include DD214).
Prior experience in a supervisory role (3+ years).

Responsibilities

Assist Veterans and dependents in applying for state or federal benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs or other agencies including assisting them with completing initial and ongoing paperwork, applications and written materials, researching and obtaining client information, assisting with securing benefits, and acting as a liaison with other local, state and federal agencies.
Assist Veterans with appealing claims that were denied; assists with collecting and compiling necessary information to defend the claim ensuring that timelines are met in order to meet claim requirements.
Facilitates, integrates and mobilizes community resources on behalf of Veterans and dependents; develops or recommends services where they do not exist.
As a point of first contact, may need to evaluate, assess and determine if a Veteran shows signs of being a danger to themselves or others and may recommend further evaluation to appropriate resources.
Assist Veterans in: obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the medical centers and outreach clinics; completing necessary paperwork; obtaining transportation; acting as a liaison for the Veteran with regards to other public health, home health or placement services and Human Services.
Assist Veterans in filing, refilling or defending claims and proceedings involving the military services including subsistence programs for the Veteran or dependents, dental programs, optical programs or educational based resources.
Attend meetings, conferences or workshops as a representative of the department or county; attends emergency or off duty calls regarding Veteran assistance or Veteran needs.
Implement changes in local, state or federal law into daily business routine; assist with interpreting any legal changes to Veterans.
Oversee, supervise and direct support staff; review and evaluate work.
Serve as a liaison for Veterans services organizations in the county and to state or federal agencies.
Perform duties of subordinate staff when necessary.