Veterans Services Officer - Anticipated Vacancy
About The Position
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services is excited to be hiring for a Veterans Services Officer (Homeless and Incarcerated Services) position. If you’re a veteran, this is your chance to join a dynamic team of professionals that support Maine veterans and their dependents across the state to attain all possible state and federal veteran, as well as survivor benefits as part of our Homeless Veterans Coordination Team. The primary purpose of this position is to be the Bureau’s lead and point of contact for homeless and incarcerated veterans’ issues, as well as representing the Bureau on homeless veterans’ committees, justice affected veterans’ committees and assisting with compiling data for mandated legislative reports and policy decisions. The position requires clear and consistent communication with the Supervisor of Veterans Services, Bureau employees, the Homeless Veterans Action Committee, Justice Action Committee, and other partner organizations throughout the state. Frequent statewide travel is required. The applicant must be veteran as defined by Federal law. The Homeless and Incarcerated Services VSO will advocate for Veterans at-risk or experiencing homeless as well as justice affected veterans by providing state resources, connecting to federal benefits, and referrals to other state agency and community partners.
Requirements
- Must be a veteran as defined by Federal law.
- Must be a veteran as defined by 38 United States Code, Section 101 (2) who were separated with an honorable discharge.
- Proof of Veterans Status (DD Form 214) must accompany application.
- The DD Form 214 must include the “Character of Service”.
- State of Maine & US Department of Veterans Affairs Training, Responsibility, Involvement, and Preparation (TRIP) National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP)
- Successful completion of fingerprinting and Federal background check
- A Bachelors Degree in Business/Public Administration, Human Resources, Education, a Social Services/Behavioral Science area, or related field and two (2) years experience in directly providing and/or administering benefit programs, personnel administration, or related social services/human resources work. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
- Knowledge of basic supervisory techniques and office management practices
- Knowledge of various assistance agencies and services available to veterans and their dependents
- Ability to prepare and maintain records within client management software
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, managers, and the public
- Ability to deal effectively and compassionately with victims of trauma and/or depressed clients, including those with mental disorders or with chemical dependency
- Ability to conduct interviews with veterans and obtain information pertinent to veteran’s benefits
- Ability to maintain a respectful and professional relationship with claimants, supervisors, and VA personnel
- Ability to maintain a working relationship with veterans’ organizations, staff, volunteers, and news media; providing information regarding Bureau programs and services and performing field informational and claim visits to clients
Nice To Haves
- Experience working on diverse personnel and sensitive issues is preferred.
- Experience working with federal and state veterans' benefits and services is preferred.
- Experience speaking and presenting in public is strongly preferred.
- Experience driving a truck towing a trailer is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Be the Bureau’s lead and point of contact for homeless and incarcerated veterans’ issues.
- Represent the Bureau on homeless veterans’ committees and justice affected veterans’ committees.
- Assist with compiling data for mandated legislative reports and policy decisions.
- Communicate clearly and consistently with the Supervisor of Veterans Services, Bureau employees, the Homeless Veterans Action Committee, Justice Action Committee, and other partner organizations throughout the state.
- Advocate for Veterans at-risk or experiencing homeless as well as justice affected veterans by providing state resources, connecting to federal benefits, and referrals to other state agency and community partners.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays
- 12 days of sick leave
- 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% for Confidential employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
