Veterans Service Officer

Rusk, County of•Rusk County Government Center, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The job duties of the Veterans Service Officer include but are not limited to planning, directing, and supervising Veterans Services for Rusk County. The role involves assisting military veterans and their dependents in obtaining educational benefits, disability compensation, veteran and widow pensions, medical care, counseling, and other benefits and services. The officer must determine eligibility and appropriate actions to pursue these benefits, develop new procedures, and assign and monitor work to enhance departmental services. Additionally, the position requires providing responsive, courteous, and efficient service to County residents and the general public. Employment and duties are governed by Wisconsin Statute Chapter 45 and US Code of Federal Regulation title 38.

Requirements

Must be a Wisconsin resident who served on active duty under honorable conditions in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces.
Associate degree in Human Services with prior counseling experience and 2 years’ experience in dealing with government entitlement or assistance experience in veterans’ benefits; OR any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
Knowledge of all Federal, State, and Local benefits available to veterans and survivors’ benefits.
Knowledge of the rules, regulations, guidelines and eligibility requirements and process for veteran entitlement programs and services.
Knowledge of veteran service and community resources and organizations.
Knowledge of legislative programs and initiatives that can impact veteran benefits, eligibility requirements, or application processes.
Ability to organize work and develop work procedures with minimum supervision.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships with County officials, County administrators County employees, and general public.
Ability to prepare and maintain records.
Must be dependable, tactful, and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
Must be able to read, write, and understand English.
Ability to operate various types of equipment – standard office equipment, computer and intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Ability to pass a Federal background check.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in business or related field is preferred but not required.
Prior supervisory experience.
Wisconsin Counselor certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist military service veterans and widows/dependents in obtaining education, disability, financial, medical, counseling and other available benefits and services.
Counsel, advise and aid claimants regarding benefits.
Refer to other agencies and services as necessary.
Contact clients, interview, evaluate, counsel and select appropriate benefit programs.
Assist clients in application, development and submission of claims and advocate for the client in obtaining successful claims.
Provide supportive counseling to veterans experiencing a variety of psychosocial difficulties.
Assess mental condition and make referrals to mental health providers as necessary.
Transport veterans and/or dependents when necessary.
Maintain knowledge of current veterans and survivor benefit and service programs.
Review legislation, regulations and precedents impacting benefit claims and rights.
Create outreach programs to inform veterans, their dependents and survivors of benefits that they are entitled to.
Answer questions and provide information to the public over the phone and in person to various benefit programs and eligibility requirements.
Educate others concerning veterans’ benefits.
Provide information and briefings to job service, halfway house, nursing homes and the elderly.
Serve as an advocate for veterans in legislative actions and initiatives impaction veteran’s benefits.
Attend and participate in veteran’s organization meetings.
Write and distribute press releases.
Prepare and give speeches and presentations.
Supervise, direct and monitor the activities of department staff and personnel.
Must complete Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of Claims (TRIP) Program within first year of hire.
Must obtain Accredited Representation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and maintain Continuing Educational Credits (CEU) annually.
Ability to pass a Federal background check.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.
Develop and conduct outreach programs.
Provide information regarding benefits and Veterans’ Service Department services and benefit program changes through press releases, electronic media and veterans’ organizations.
Make public speaking presentations as required and requested.
Attend and participate in veteran organizations and senior citizen group meetings.
Perform home visits to veterans who are housebound or hospitalized.
Coordinate veteran activities with other county activities and outside groups.
Serve on State and regional veteran-related groups, associations and organization.
Attend appropriate workshops, seminars and conferences.
Maintain Department Social Media Platform to keep veterans and the public informed of veteran related events and policies.