Veteran’s Service Officer

The position directs, administers, and manages all operations of the Veteran’s Service Office including financial and personnel management. Work involves advocating, informing, advising, assisting, referral, and follow-up services for veterans in the County, their spouses, and dependents in securing eligible entitlements and benefits as directed in Wis. Stat. Chapter 45 and community outreach. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the County Administrator.

Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Directs the work of and manages the staff of the VSO. Interviews and selects new employees. Assures the provision of training, instruction and ongoing training for the department. Provides coaching and/or counseling. Assigns tasks, reviews work and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
2. Provides leadership and management to all assigned staff.
3. Administers all programs assigned to the responsibility of the Department and supervises the operations of the Department. Ensures compliance with program requirements. Reports administrative and program services, along with policies and procedures, to the responsible boards to identify desirable outcomes.
4. Recommends and plans long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the Department. Ensures the programs and objectives of the Department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the County Board, responsible boards, and County Administrator.
5. Evaluates department service delivery. Conduct needs assessments and recommends service priorities to responsible boards in addition to those mandated by State and Federal Government.
6. Communicates with federal and state legislators recommending improvements or assisting in guiding pending legislation.
7. Provides direction to the Department by responding to changing trends in legislative, societal, and community needs. Identifies options for service feasibility and cost-effectiveness, and avoidance of duplication of services.
8. Determines Department funding needs and directs the preparation of the annual operating budget. Identifies funding sources and direction the application for grants when appropriate. Monitors budget, contracts, services, costs and other factors throughout the year to identify problem areas and recommends adjustments.
9. Recommends services to be subcontracted and oversee all department related contracted services.
10. Ensures the programs of the Department are carried out in a cost-efficient manner. Develops goals or outcomes which are measurable and enhance the quality of cost-effective services.
11. Coordinates the negotiation, implementation and reporting activities of the Department to secure and maintain federal and state generated funding, grants, and other resources with the County Finance Department.
12. Ensures all mandated state and federal programs are carried out in accordance with established requirements.
13. Maintains knowledge of current County, State and Federal Rules and Regulations. Monitors legislative proposals that will impact the Department. Keeps responsible boards and County Administrator informed of these changes.
14. Prepares materials and information and presents to the County, County Administrator, or responsible boards to keep them informed of the Department’s activities and needs.
15. Prepare annual performance report of the Department’s operations.
16. Advises and assists veterans, service personnel and their dependents and survivors in filing applications and other supportive evidence to the VA as claims for or to maintain benefits; examines military and residency documentation to determine and establish eligibility; assist those qualified for Wisconsin veterans’ benefits.
17. Reviews ratings from the VA and provides assistance with appeals resulting from unsuccessful claims and applications.
18. Counsels, advises, and aids claimants on issues including financial assistance, educational assistance, medical needs, alcohol and other drug abuse, shelter, vocational adjustment and mortuary affairs.
19. Researches and gathers supporting evidence for various claims on behalf of claimants as requested
20. Provides counseling and assistance to veterans and claimants directly or through referral.
21. Establishes contacts and serves as liaison to other veterans’ and public agencies and promotes on-going awareness of veteran’s needs.
22. Attends and promotes community outreach to promote the duties of the office and benefit entitlement information. Assists in organizing and/or participates in major veteran activities in the county.
23. Plans, directs, and implements a county-wide public information program to communicate veterans’ programs.
24. Attends the funerals of indigent veterans when necessary.
25. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to develop and disseminate information to the public concerning the Veteran’s Service office, its activities, and the services and programs available to veterans.
• Knowledge of the laws relating to the benefits available to veterans under a wide variety of federal, state and local veterans benefit programs.
• Ability to read, analyze, research and interpret complex provisions and laws for individual case use.
• Skill to counsel and assist veterans and their families regarding benefits and services.
• Knowledge of the County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
• Ability to effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department specific documents.
• Ability to prepare, recommend and monitor an operating budget, including line item budgeting.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; federal, state , and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time off, and maintaining personnel records.
• Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Open Records laws and other applicable state and federal statutes and regulations.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, business administration, or related field with eight (8) years of progressive administration experience in human service-related programs.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Honorable Discharge from military service with not less than two (2) years continuous service or the completion of one (1) full-term of service.
• Claims Accreditation Certification from a Veterans Service Organization must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.
• Must successfully pass criminal background check.

Physical and Work Environment
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor. 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic). 

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Deadline Note: