Veterans Service Officer 2

Classification Title: Veterans Service Officer 2, C25

Location: 2189 Cleveland St., Suite 263, Clearwater FL 33765

Schedule: Monday - Friday, some remote flexibility

This is advanced level, highly specialized work assisting veterans and their dependents in claiming authorized benefits and entitlements. Incumbents will supervise professional subordinates and support staff in coordinating department activities. An incumbent in this class is responsible for acting as lead worker. The incumbent interviews and counsels veterans and veterans’ dependents to assist with processing claims, appeals, and completing questionnaires involving compensation, pension, hospitalization, insurance, outpatient treatment, educational assistance, loans, rehabilitation, and other entitlements. Duties include determining eligibility and ensuring that claims are processed professionally within the general framework of existing laws, rules, and regulations governing veterans’ entitlements. The incumbent reports to a manager or designated supervisor.

Our Benefits Rank #1

• 9-11 paid County holidays; 2 floating holidays and 2 personal days (pro-rated); annual leave (accrue 15 days in first year)
• Florida Retirement System: Employees contribute 3% and the county contributes 6.3% for regular status employees enrolled in the FRS Pension Plan
• See contribution breakdown on FRS
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, and a flexible spending account (FSA) option. Click here for more benefits details

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, coordinates and supervises activities of personnel engaged in providing assistance to veterans and their dependents.
• Interprets pertinent federal laws and Department of Veterans Affairs rules and regulations adopted to clarify laws relating to veterans benefits.
• Prepares reports and maintain accurate records.
• Provide the Division Director with regular updates on information pertaining to Veterans issues and impact to County residents that are veterans.
• Provides direct services to veterans clients and/or their dependents.
• Must be able to use a computer and various software applications.
• Assists in the planning, assigning, training and reviewing the work of veterans service officers engaged in claiming authorized benefits and entitlements.
• Provides consultation and guidance to subordinate staff on complex case situations, emergencies or cases which require higher level decisions.
• Promotes and maintains public relations with governmental and service organizations and speaks to groups in the absence of the director.
• Interviews, counsels and assists veterans and their dependents in applying for compensation, disability claims, pensions, death benefits, hospitalizations, outpatient treatment, insurance and other entitlements.
• Answers inquiries regarding the interpretation of laws, rules and regulations regarding veterans' benefits and entitlements.
• Manages a satellite offices independent of close supervision.
• Reviews amendments and/or policy changes to TItle 10/38 U.S. Code 38 CFR, regulations, VA program guides and VA rating schedules.
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

Position Specific Requirements

Experience: Serving as a Veterans’ Service Officer counseling veterans and others about veterans’ benefits, public assistance, employment, vocational programs, health care, personal counseling

Education: degree in social work, public administration, health and human services or a related field.

• Eight (8) years of experience as described above; or
• Associate’s degree plus six (6) years of experience as described above; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus four (4) years of experience as described above; or
• Master’s degree plus two (2) years of experience as described above; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

• Must be a veteran (or the surviving spouse of any such veteran) and meet the requirements in Title 38, U.S. Code and Florida Statute 292.11 applicable to Florida County Veteran Service Officers
• Candidate to successfully complete training prescribed by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Driver's License.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to veterans' benefits and the standard policies for processing claims under appropriate laws.
• Knowledge of offices established for the purpose of providing assistance to veterans including the Veterans Administration, veterans' organizations and various state and local veterans' offices.
• Knowledge of state laws pertaining to marriage and divorce, interviewing and counseling techniques and military records and forms
• Knowledge of medical terms and procedures.
• Ability to apply computer applications and software.
• Ability to interpret and explain laws and regulations applying to veterans' benefits in language understood by veterans, their families or representative.

Physical/Mental Demands

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.