Veteran Affairs Coordinator

Franklin County, PA; Chambersburg (Franklin County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Prescription Coverage

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Franklin County in Pennsylvania is seeking a Veteran Affairs Coordinator to determine needs and benefits for veterans, their spouses, dependent children, and parents. The role emphasizes accurate assessment, recordkeeping, and interagency coordination.

The incumbent will interview clients, verify service records, submit VA claims, and advocate on behalf of veterans at hearings while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with all applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of veteran benefits preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with veterans and families.

Responsibilities

• Interview veterans and families to determine need and benefits eligibility.
• Coordinate actions with agencies to secure pensions, education, housing, and other benefits.
• Maintain veteran records and prepare required reports for VA and state agencies.
• Advise and advocate for veterans at hearings and in the appeals process.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Public service mindset

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field

Tools

VA computer systems

Job description

Are you a motivated, positive, service-driven individual? If so, we need to talk. We are looking for someone who will be responsible for coordinating appropriate actions necessary to determine the needs of and benefits available to veterans, their spouses, dependent children, and parents.

Franklin County is a great place to live and work! Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Tuscarora mountains in South Central Pennsylvania but not far from DC, Baltimore and the beaches of the mid-Atlantic, Franklin County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth. We want the best people working to serve the 155,000+ residents that call this beautiful area "home."

Education/Training

Bachelor’s degree in human services, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. Knowledge of veteran benefits preferred.

Accreditation

Must be able to receive and maintain veterans’ service officer accreditation authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs through the sponsorship of the state or veteran service organizations.

Work Experience

Three (3) to five (5) years of office experience dealing with the public, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

VETERAN AFFAIRS COORDINATOR

Position DescriptionNon-Exempt

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB

The Veteran Affairs Coordinator is responsible for coordinating appropriate actions necessary to determine the needs of and benefits available to veterans, their spouses, dependent children, and parents. Manages and maintains Veteran military records and submits reports as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB

• Performs in-depth personal interviews, reviews documents, performs research, etc. in determining the eligibility for veteran-related benefits for veterans’, veterans’ spouses, dependent children and parents of veterans, including benefits such as pensions, disability compensation, insurance proceeds, hospitalization, outpatient treatment, educational benefits, vocational rehabilitation, tax exemptions, specialized license tags, home loans, etc. or any other National, State, or Local Agency benefits; forwards claims to Veteran’s Administration Regional Office for adjudication.
• Assists funeral directors and survivors in securing burial benefits, grave markers, flags, military funerals, and burial in national cemeteries.
• Assists veterans and their beneficiaries in filing applications for review of discharges to upgrade or correct.
• Perform various clerical duties such as answering routine correspondence, preparing applications, and forms composing letters of correspondence, etc.
• Visits Social Services offices, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. as necessary in obtaining assistance for Veterans and their dependents/survivors in difficult situations as necessary.
• Operates a motor vehicle and a variety of types of office equipment including computer, calculator, copier, telephone, and general office supplies.
• Maintain community awareness of VA benefits via news releases, seminars and public speaking engagements.
• Develop a working knowledge of other agencies’ benefits such as the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s office, Social Security, County Assessors, Social Security Insurance Disability, CareerLink, etc.
• Ensure county compliance with all federal, state, and veterans’ statutes. Research and prepare necessary policies to ensure compliance.
• Supervise the maintenance of records and files of veterans’ records; applications and petitions; orders supplies and coordinates Memorial and Veterans Days’ ceremonies.
• Manage, from initiation to completion, all actions through the Department of Veterans Affairs and Commonwealth’s Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.
• Act as Power of Attorney for veterans presenting case for services, benefits, and entitlements.
• Advocate for the veteran and/or families at hearings, appeal boards, and courts during the adjudication processing of their claims. Assist with processing appeals of denied claims and files appeals forms, notices of disagreement, new-material evidence, support statements, or related documentation to appropriate federal agencies.
• Provide counseling to veterans and/or their families while assessing their individual or collective need and eligibility.
• Research, establish, and maintain all available resources essential to assisting veterans with their claims through government and private-sector networking.
• Assist veterans or survivors by managing appropriate documents related to their case including timely retrieval and recovery of records, documents, and information to be used as evidence in substantiating the claim.
• Make referrals on the veteran’s behalf to other agencies to assure that all benefits and entitlements are received as provided by law.
• Verify military service records and documents for legitimacy, accuracy, and eligibility and authorises the issuance of the same.
• Assist in preparation of department budget.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB

• Perform other job related duties as required.
• Attend meetings, in services, and training as required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, associates, and the general public.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives supervision from the Director of Veterans’ Affairs.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works indoors in adequate work space, lighting, temperatures and ventilation.
• Works indoors with average exposure to noise and stress, but subject to frequent disruptions.
• Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching, and driving (as necessary to carry out essential duties of job).
• Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out duties of job.
• Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of 25 pounds.
• Must demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
• Must possess vision abilities sufficient to perform job functions which include computer processing, driving and attending to details.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/Training Bachelor’s degree in human services, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. Knowledge of veteran benefits preferred.
• Accreditation Must be able to receive and maintain veterans’ service officer accreditation authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs through the sponsorship of the state or veteran service organizations.
• Work Experience Three (3) to five (5) years of office experience dealing with the public, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential functions of the job.
• Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be computer literate, able to learn and utilize all V.A. computer systems.
• Must be self-motivated and possess initiative and problem solving skills.
• Must have abilities to function independently, be flexible, and work effectively with veterans, their families, and inter-governmental agencies.
• Must possess ability to acquire and maintain the trust, confidence, and respect of those individuals being served and be able to maintain strict confidentiality in regard to veterans’ information and records.
• Must possess ability to make and render independent decision when circumstances warrant such actions.
• Must possess some knowledge of federal, state, and county resources and programs available to veterans and their dependents.
• Must possess some knowledge and procedures of veterans’ benefits and entitlements eligibility.
• Must possess ability to evaluate and determine eligibility qualifications for appropriate benefits and entitlements.
• Must possess sound judgment.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must maintain a valid drivers’ license and possess the ability to travel with flexibility whenever and wherever as needed to perform essential job duties..
• Must possess ability to interpret, analyze, and define the applicable rules, policies, regulations, and laws and to explain same to others in a clear and logical manner.

We offer an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan!

Franklin County is an equal opportunity employer.