County Veterans Service Officer

Merced County; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a manager for the Veterans Service Office. This role involves overseeing programs, assisting veterans with their benefits, and ensuring compliance with legislation. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree, at least two years of military service, and strong knowledge of veterans' services. Effective communication and personnel management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Must have served a minimum of two years active duty in the armed forces.
• Must have been discharged under Honorable Conditions.
• Accreditation with recognized programs must be obtained within 12 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage programs at the County Veterans' Service Office.
• Assist veterans with benefits including pension and housing.
• Liaise with local and national veterans' organizations.

Skills

Veterans' benefits knowledge

Public personnel management

Budget development

Grant writing

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

NOTE: Submission of DD 214 to verify honorable discharge is required to be considered for this position.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages, plans, directs, and oversees the programs, functions, and operations of the County Veterans' Service Office.
• Reviews new veterans legislation and implements changes that affect the rights of veterans and their dependents.
• Assists in the coordination of the activities of the Veterans Service Office with other organizations concerned with the welfare of veterans.
• Interviews veterans and their dependents and assists them in regard to their rights and benefits in the following areas: pensions, compensation, education, insurance, hospitalization, housing, outpatient care, and burial.
• Acts as a liaison with veterans' groups, local, state, and national organizations; speaks to civic groups; and attends conferences on veterans' affairs.
• Prepares and supervises the preparation of case reports and records.
• Determines eligibility for burial at Veterans Cemetery.
• Trains, assigns and reviews the performance of subordinate staff members.
• Attends meetings concerned with problems of the Veterans.
• Prepares, coordinates and administers the Veterans Service budget.
• May prepare grant applications for state and federal funds.
• Makes presentations.
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment with general policy guidelines.

Experience

Must have served a minimum of two (2) years cumulative active duty in the armed forces of the United States, unless discharged earlier with a service incurred disability, and must have been discharged or separated under Honorable Conditions.

Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Note

Accreditation, obtained through a United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) approved examination, by a National Service Organization or other recognized program or passage of the California Department of Veterans Affairs or National Association of County Veterans Services Officers accreditation examination is required within twelve (12) months of employment.

Knowledge of

• The laws, rules, and regulations governing the rights and benefits to which veterans are entitled including: Title 38, Federal Code of Regulations and the California Military and Veterans Code.
• Principles and practices of public personnel management including: selecting, training, discipline, performance evaluation, and equal employment opportunity.
• Resources and procedures through which veterans benefits are obtained.
• Organizational and administrative procedures, principles, and practices.
• Veterans Service Office policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Current legislation and trends on veterans' benefits.
• Budget development and expenditure control.
• Methods of grant writing and administration.

Ability to

• Interpret, analyze and apply federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to veterans' services.
• Develop, implement and interpret departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Plan, organize and manage veterans branch activities.
• Select, train, direct and evaluate assigned staff.
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, particularly community veterans' services organizations and other County departments.
• Represent the County effectively in meetings with others and make presentations to various groups.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare, review and present reports, recommendations and other correspondence and communications in a clear and concise manner.