Veteran’s Service Officer
Purpose of Position
The purpose of this position is to plan, direct, and supervise veterans services; serve as the Veterans Service Officer per Wisconsin Statute 45, advise and assist U.S. military service veterans, spouses and dependents in securing eligible benefits and entitlements; advocate for veterans; and counsel and refer veterans to a variety of needed services. To be eligible for this position, the candidate must meet the qualifications under Wis. Stat. §45.80(1). The work is performed under the general direction of the County Board Chair.
Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
Achieves and maintains accreditation by the Department of Veterans Affairs to present claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs as a representative of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and National Service Organizations.
Conducts interviews with veterans and/or their surviving dependent(s) to ascertain their needs, advise which benefits they are eligible to receive and refers to appropriate agencies.
Prepares benefits applications for veterans and/or their surviving dependent(s) on appropriate VA forms.
Assists claimants in obtaining necessary information needed to support claims, including but not limited to: military discharge, military records, service treatment records, civilian medical records, nexus statements, medical opinions, statements in support of claim.
Conducts thorough research of military occupations, military engagements, medical conditions, nuclear, chemical and biological agents and their effect on the human body. This research is used as material evidence in support of disability claims.
Completes and files VA benefits claims for veterans and/or their surviving dependent(s).
Provides front-line, non-clinical counseling to veterans in distress to keep them calm and assist them in obtaining professional counseling services.
Requests veteran records from the National Personnel Records Center for use in claims processing.
Receives and responds to inquiries, complaints and concerns from clients and agencies. Researches and resolves problems regarding applications and information.
Investigates client aid eligibility.
Advocates on behalf of veterans. Assists with appeals for denied benefits, represents clients before federal and state veterans appeal authorities. Serves as veteran’s liaison to Veterans Administration, VA medical centers, to government agencies and community services and resources.
Promotes veterans services. Organizes forums and workshops regarding veterans’ issues. Prepares and distributes informational brochures, flyers, and other information. Prepares and gives public presentations.
Plans, prepares, recommends and submits department operating budget. Monitors department expenses and approves expenditures within budget mandates. Approves vouchers. Supervises purchase, repair and issuing medical equipment.
Assists veterans and their dependents or survivors in obtaining benefits from the Department of Defense to include Combat Related Special Compensation, retiree benefits, Tricare and ID cards.
Assists veterans in applying for available veteran’s benefits from the State of Wisconsin by initiating or reopening claims.
Assists veterans in obtaining necessary care from the VA Medical Facilities.
Serves as administrative secretary to Veterans Service Commission. Schedules meetings, prepares and posts agendas per open meeting law requirements. Submits recommendations for Veterans Service Commissioners to the County Board (Initial and re-appointments). Submits vouchers for aid to needy veterans for those approved by the Veterans Service Commission. Prepares and monitors veteran relief budget.
Plans, oversees and coordinates office activities. Develops department policies and procedures.
Hires, trains, counsels, and provides assistance to staff. Assigns, supervises and reviews employee tasks and projects. Prepares performance evaluations. Reviews and approves employee timesheets. Authorizes requests for time off, overtime, and expense payment.
Maintains knowledge of veterans’ issues, resources, programs, benefits and entitlements. Attends conferences, seminars and workshops.
Maintains confidentiality regarding veteran’s records and needs.
Writes correspondence, announcements and reports. Gathers and organizes reports statistics. Prepares reports to County Board.
Visits homebound and hospitalized veterans.
Assists funeral directors with honor guards and other arrangements.
Participates in a variety of meetings.
Reports department activities and concerns to Executive/Finance Committee.
Writes and administers WI CVSO grant, WI Transportation grant and any others that may be available to assist the county’s veterans.
Responds to emergencies involving veterans.
Completes necessary paperwork to have a veteran’s military discharge recorded with the county Register of Deeds.
Certifies veteran’s eligibility and provides documentation for having the veteran identifier placed on WI issued driver’s license.
Distributes grave markers and flags.
Loads and unloads medical loan shed equipment. Delivers equipment as needed.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements
Associate degree in Business, Public Administration or related field; three years’ experience working with veterans or in a human service agency; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. Supervisory experience preferred. A valid Wisconsin motor vehicle operator’s license and available means of transportation required.
Special Requirement: The Veterans Service Officer must meet the qualifications set forth in WI Statute Chapter 45 and achieve the minimum test score established by the County on the civil service examination.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
Ability to counsel, mediate and/or provide first line supervision. Ability to persuade, convince, and train others. Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as medical records, VA forms, Department of Defense forms, court records, billing invoices, vouchers, invoices, budgets, purchase orders, grant applications, financial statements, insurance documents, loan documents, tax returns, department reports, meeting minutes, performance evaluations, computer software operating manuals, statutes, administrative codes, veterans organization manuals, directories, maps, procedures, guidelines, and non-routine correspondence.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with veterans, veterans’ families, medical care providers, legislators, VA personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, various county agency personnel, care facility personnel, news media representatives, Social Security personnel, veterans organizations, financial institution personnel, legislatures, housing authorities, vendor representatives, County Board members, educators, counselors, military personnel and the general public.
Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals. Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing and controlling.
Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.
Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics described herein 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.
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments such as motor vehicle, computer, telephone, fax machine, calculator, computer printer and photocopier.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring moderate skill, such as typing.
Ability to exert very moderate to occasionally moderately heavy physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds and odors associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
Environment / Work Conditions
Ability to work under conditions which require exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations and extremes, irate individuals, intimidation, traffic hazards and disease. This exposure may cause some discomfort and presents a risk of injury.
Deadline Note: