NSO (Apprentice)
About The Position
The National Service Officer Apprentice position is an initial training role to achieve the designation of National Service Officer (NSO). The apprentice studies and trains through DAV’s on-the-job training program to represent individual veterans and their families pursuing disability claims and other benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and, on occasion, other government entities. The role works under the direct and ongoing supervision of a Supervisory National Service Officer and/or other personnel assigned to conduct training, and has no supervisory responsibilities. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, and is based at NSO offices nationwide. It may require minimal travel for training with advance authorization from the National Service Director. NSOs must be willing to relocate nationwide based on DAV’s needs and provide written affirmation of this willingness. The work environment is usually minimally noisy. Physical demands include prolonged sitting, standing, hand and arm activity, handwriting and keyboarding, and occasional lifting or carrying of up to 25 pounds, bending, squatting, pushing, and pulling.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be eligible and entitled to receive services through VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service under the established National Memorandum of Agreement containing DAV’s On-The-Job Training Program for National Service Officers, except where hiring a non-eligible candidate serves an important DAV business purpose.
- Must be a member in good standing of the DAV.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Functional user of a standard business computer, Microsoft Office software suite, and computerized record systems or databases used to retrieve automated veterans’ records.
Nice To Haves
- General knowledge of legal and/or medical terminology.
- General understanding of business and administrative procedures and systems, such as managing clientele files and records, cash ledgers, and quality customer service.
- Valid motor vehicle driver’s license other than a motorcycle license.
Responsibilities
- Acquire and maintain knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to veterans benefits through regular review of the Code of Federal Regulations, other publications, and, where appropriate, decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
- Learn to conduct detailed interviews of veterans to identify all potential benefits.
- Review service records, medical records, and other pertinent data to identify or assess the validity of claims and potential claims.
- Learn to determine whether additional evidence may be needed to support a claim and advise veterans concerning that evidence.
- Learn to assess the risks and benefits of filing a particular claim.
- Learn to assess whether available evidentiary support meets the requirements of 38 CFR § 14.633, incorporating the rule on frivolous claims adopted by the American Bar Association in Model Rule 3.1.
- Practice preparing submissions required to initiate and advance claims, including briefs and similar documents analyzing applicable regulations and case facts.
- Practice monitoring claims from submission to resolution, communicating with VA adjudicators as needed to advance claims, and keeping claimants informed of significant developments.
- Learn to advise claimants, where appropriate, about administrative and judicial appeal options for denied claims and, when requested, provide specific advice about likely grounds for appeal.
- Practice representing claimants before military and VA hearing panels and boards, presenting evidence and legal argument, and examining and cross-examining witnesses as necessary.
- Learn to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and complete clientele workload.
- Communicate professionally and diplomatically with people inside and outside the organization.
- Learn to recruit new DAV members to support and enhance DAV’s mission of service.
- Perform other administrative and outreach activities as directed by the office Supervisor.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
