Veterans Service Officer

Job Overview

     Performs duties interviewing and processing benefit eligibility claims for veterans, their survivors and dependents, and other interested parties.

Salary 

Minimum: $42,057.60- $54,974.88

Core Competencies

     •   Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.

•   Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.

•   Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.

•   Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

•   Interviews veterans, their survivors and dependents and other interested parties to determine their benefit eligibility entitlement under Federal, State, and County laws    and regulations.

•   Reviews and processes claims based on military service involving death, compensation, pension, hospitalization, insurance, outpatient treatment, educational assistance, and other related claims and forwards them to appropriate agencies.

•   Refers veterans, their survivors and dependents and other interested parties to Federal, State or County agencies for services they may require.

•   Conducts field visits to assist disabled applicants to initiate or follow up on claims for benefits.

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

     •   Interviews veterans, their survivors and dependents and other interested parties to determine their benefit eligibility entitlement under

Federal, State and County laws and regulations.

•   Reviews and processes claims based on military service involving death, compensation, pension, hospitalization, insurance, outpatient treatment, educational assistance, and other related claims and forwards them to appropriate agencies.

•   Refers veterans, their survivors and dependents and other interested parties to Federal, State or County agencies for services they may require.

•   Conducts field visits to assist disabled applicants to initiate or follow up on claims for benefits.

•   Reviews new and proposed law changes and their applicability to veterans benefit eligibility entitlements.

•   Prepares and makes presentations to veterans, civic groups and allied agencies on veteran's rights, privileges and benefits.

•   Performs other related duties as required.

        Job Specifications

•   Knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws and regulations related to veterans’ benefits, claims and appeals procedures.

•   Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques.

•   Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

•   Ability to work effectively with others.

•   Ability to make group presentations.

•   Ability to handle confidential information.

•   Ability to collect, organize and analyze data to develop logical conclusions.

•   Ability to maintain work related records and prepare reports.

•   Ability to use a computer and related software.

•   Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

      Physical Requirements

•   This position takes place in an office environment.

•   Requires sitting for an extended period of time.

  Minimum Qualifications Required

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university: OR
• An equivalent combination of education (not less than a high school diploma/GED), training, and experience that would be reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Be a veteran as a member of the U.S Armed Services, as defined in FS 1.01(14), or the surviving spouse of any such veteran. The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged under honorable conditions, notwithstanding any action by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on individuals discharged or released with other than honorable discharges,

1.   Maintain the ability to pass the background checks required for the position. These background checks may include but are not limited to:

•   Criminal History Background Check using Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)

•   Level 1 and Level 2 Background screening (Ch. 435 Florida Statutes)

•   Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Record Check using the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)

•   Sex Offender and Sexual Predator record check using the list maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

2.   Possess the necessary job-related license(s) or certification(s) that may include possession of a Florida Driver License (Class E).