Veterans Service Officer - Outagamie County

Outagamie County • Appleton, WI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Veterans Service Officer provides strategic leadership and direct services to ensure eligible veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors receive the federal, state, county, and community benefits and supports to which they are entitled. The position leads the County Veterans Service Office, develops partnerships with government agencies, veteran-service organizations, healthcare providers, and community partners, and promotes accessible, respectful, confidential, veteran-centered service delivery.

The position is based at the Outagamie County Veterans Service Office, 320 S. Walnut St., Appleton, Wisconsin. Regular hours are Monday through Friday during business hours, with flexibility to attend meetings, conferences, public gatherings, and veteran-related events outside regularly scheduled hours, including some evenings and weekends as operational needs require. The application deadline is October 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

The role provides day-to-day office leadership, staff supervision, budget and program oversight, reporting, compliance, community representation, and direct assistance with veterans’ benefits, claims, applications, and appeals. It also advocates for veterans and families navigating benefit systems and works with partners to identify unmet needs and develop service solutions. The County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System Pension. Benefit options and paid time off are available to team members working 20 or more hours per week.

Outagamie County states its commitment to an equitable, diverse, inclusive workforce and community, and to reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. The County is an equal-opportunity employer.

Requirements

• High school graduation or GED equivalent.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in veterans’ services, veterans’ benefits, case management, public service, benefit programs, or a related field.
• Wisconsin residency.
• Meet statutory eligibility requirements for a County Veterans Service Officer under Wis. Stat. § 45.80, including qualifying veteran status, active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions, and applicable service-period requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation.
• Valid driver’s license that must be maintained.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and coach staff and foster effective, collaborative teams.
• Ability to represent the department professionally in public settings and build community awareness of veterans’ services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, client-centered service practices and the needs of veterans, military families, dependents, and survivors.
• Ability to advocate effectively for veterans, dependents, and survivors navigating federal, state, and local benefit programs.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with government agencies, community organizations, service organizations, healthcare providers, and other partners.
• Ability to administer department operations, including policy development, program evaluation, workload management, and continuous service improvement.
• Ability to develop strategic priorities and translate them into operational plans.
• Thorough understanding of confidentiality requirements and ethical standards applicable to client services and public records.
• Strong knowledge of veteran benefit systems and ability to interpret complex regulations and policies.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to establish trust and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive or emotionally challenging circumstances.
• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, manage budgets, and use information to improve services.
• Proficiency with standard office software, case-management systems, and electronic records systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Military and Veteran Studies, Public Administration, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Current U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation.
• Experience assisting veterans, eligible dependents, or survivors with federal, state, and local veterans’ benefits, claims, and related services.
• A combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, direction, and day-to-day leadership for the County Veterans Service Office, ensuring services are responsive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with County priorities.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate office goals, policies, procedures, service standards, and outreach strategies.
• Supervise, coach, train, and evaluate assigned staff; set expectations, foster accountability, and support professional development.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing team culture centered on customer service, confidentiality, cultural competence, and respect for military service.
• Prepare and manage the department budget, monitor expenditures, identify grant and funding opportunities, and steward public resources.
• Prepare reports, performance measures, and presentations for County leadership, committees, boards, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure records, case files, financial documentation, and reporting comply with confidentiality, records-retention, and program requirements.
• Represent the County in professional associations, regional collaborations, veteran-service networks, public meetings, and community events.
• Advise and assist veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors in identifying and applying for available benefits.
• Prepare, develop, submit, and follow up on claims, applications, appeals, and supporting documentation related to veterans’ benefits.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and other benefit programs, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Advocate for veterans and their families as they navigate benefit systems and resolve barriers to care or services.
• Establish and sustain productive relationships with federal, state, county, municipal, tribal, nonprofit, healthcare, and veteran-service partners.
• Coordinate with community organizations to identify unmet veteran needs and develop practical service solutions.
• Serve as a visible leader and trusted advocate for veterans’ issues in the County and broader community.
• Promote inclusive outreach to veterans facing service barriers, including rural residents, older adults, individuals with disabilities, women veterans, minority veterans, and veterans experiencing housing or behavioral-health challenges.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System Pension.
• Benefit options and paid time off for team members working 20 or more hours per week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED