Veterans Benefits Supervisor

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Oakland County is seeking a compassionate and experienced Veterans Benefits Supervisor to lead daily operations within the Veterans’ Services Division while advocating for veterans and their families. In this role, you’ll supervise staff, guide veterans through complex benefits processes, and help ensure individuals receive the services, resources, and support available through federal, state, and local programs. This is a meaningful leadership opportunity for someone who values public service, advocacy, and making a direct impact in the lives of veterans and their dependents.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Sociology, Psychology, Business Administration or closely related field.
Have had at least four (4) years of full-time experience as a Veterans' Benefits Counselor.
Hold accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veterans Service Organization Representative
Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local agency laws, rules and regulations regarding the benefits and services available for veterans.
Considerable knowledge of local veterans' groups, community agencies, and resources that have programs of assistance available to veterans.
Considerable ability to write appeals of negative determinations made by government agencies.
Considerable ability to cope with difficult and/or emergency situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with departmental policies and objectives.
Considerable ability to display tact, emotional stability and patience while dealing with distressed individuals.
Considerable ability to apply principles of personnel administration to the selection, placement and supervision of employees and the ability to develop successful in-service training programs.
Considerable ability to supervise personnel.
Considerable ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
Reasonable ability to understand medical statements.
Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.
Ability to exercise judgement and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions.
Ability to compile statistics, decipher pertinent information and present oral and written financial, operational and other types of departmental reports to officials and other interested groups or individuals.
Ability to obtain Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in order to remotely access VA computer systems and software.
Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.

Nice To Haves

Applicants be veterans of the United States Armed Forces and have a discharge under honorable conditions from their last period of service.
Applicants have had one (1) year of full-time paid experience involving supervising or leading a team.

Responsibilities

Supervise and support Veterans’ Counselors, transportation staff, and clerical employees
Train new Veterans’ Benefits Counselors and provide ongoing training for all staff.
Assign and monitor the work of lower level counselors to ensure veterans and/or their dependents are assisted in accordance with division policies and procedures.
Counsel veterans and dependents on available benefits, services, and eligibility requirements
Prepare, present, and manage veterans’ claims and appeals with federal, state, and local agencies
Research and interpret laws, regulations, and policy changes affecting veterans’ benefits
Represent the Veterans’ Services Division at community meetings, presentations, and public events
Prepare reports and assist with presentations to County leadership and the Board of Commissioners
Coordinate transportation and support services for veterans as needed
Functions as a supervisor over a group of Veterans' Counselors, Coordinators, Client Transporter and clerical employees.
Instructs, assigns, schedules, checks and appraises performance.
Participates in decisions to hire, discipline, discharge and award pay increases and/or promotions.
Trains new counselors and provides ongoing training for all staff.
Assigns and monitors the work of lower level counselors in a Veterans' Services office to ensure that veterans and/or their families are assisted in accordance with divisional policies and procedures.
Acts as an agent for the Soldiers' Relief Commission and authorizes assistance to veterans and/or their dependents in need.
Assigns and monitors the work of the Client Transporter to ensure proper operation of the Transportation Program.
Adjudicates applications for County Burial and Marker Foundations.
Prepares applications for posting and submits for payment.
Prepares reports for and assists the Division Manager in presentations to County Executive and Board of Commissioners.
Represents the Veterans' Services Division at service organizations meetings, private groups and/or citizens interested in veterans and their needs.
Researches federal, state and local laws and regulations as to their effect on benefits veterans are entitled to receive.
Advises veterans and their families on the services and benefits available to them through the Veterans' Services Division and/or refers them to the proper outside agencies when applicable.
Assists veterans in filing applications for pensions, compensation, education, dental and medical care, burial allowances, insurance benefits and other available veterans' benefits.
Researches, and writes appeals of determinations made by federal, state and local agencies when they adversely effect a client.
Corresponds with appropriate agencies in order to secure affidavits, certificates and other required papers to properly submit necessary documentation for clients to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs and other agencies.
Uses various software programs to create form letters and documents for divisional use.
Transports veterans to V.A. medical centers in the absence of other drivers.
Acts as an advocate on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.