Veteran Services Officer

Chatham, County of (NC); Pittsboro (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Chatham County in North Carolina seeks a Veteran Service Officer to counsel veterans, survivors, and dependents in obtaining county, state, and federal benefits. The role serves as a liaison to the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and reports to the Assistant County Manager.

The position emphasizes interviewing veterans to determine eligibility, assisting with applications, and coordinating with veteran service agencies.

Qualifications

• High school graduation with preferred Associate’s Degree in Business or related veteran service experience.
• Must pass NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs written exam after one year of training.
• Accreditation by the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and TRIPS training completion required to access Federal files.

Responsibilities

• Advises veterans, survivors, and dependents of their rights under military service benefits acts and other relevant legislation.
• Investigates and interviews veterans and their dependents to determine eligibility for aid.
• May assist veterans with education and employment-related issues.
• Attend required training offered through state departments and associations.
• Prepare and follow up on applications for state and federal benefits.

Skills

Interview veterans

Report writing

Communication skills

Computer skills

Liaison with agencies

Education

Associate’s Degree in Business

Veteran Service related experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Are you looking for a career where the work you do truly matters? In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to give back to those who have served our country and make a life-changing difference for veterans and their families. Every day, you’ll help connect veterans with the benefits, resources, and support they’ve earned. Your work has a meaningful impact in the lives of others.We offer amazing benefits, competitive compensation, incredible benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive environment.If you’re passionate about helping others, value meaningful work, and want a career where you can see the difference you make, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsible for counseling, advising and assisting military service veterans, veterans’ survivors, and their dependents in obtaining benefits provided for them by county, state, and federal law and performing related work as apparent or assigned. The position serves as a liaison to the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Work is performed under the supervision of the Assistant County Manager. The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Advises veterans, veterans’ survivors, and their dependents of their rights under military service benefits acts and other relevant legislation;
• Investigates and conducts interviews with veterans and their dependents to obtain a comprehensive case history in order that eligibility for aid can be determined;
• May assist veterans and dependents with education and employment-related issues;
• Must attend all required training as directed by the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and offered through the NC Association of County Veterans Services Officers;
• Assists veterans and dependents in the office and the offices of other public agencies in the preparation and follow-up of applications for state and federal benefits including home loans;
• Reviews and files claims for veteran benefits;
• Develops and maintains close liaison with other veteran service agencies;
• Conducts a public relations program to disseminate general information regarding veterans benefits by means of radio broadcasts, newspaper releases, and speaking engagements before interested groups;
• Formulates office procedures;
• May train and supervise volunteer workers and service officers;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Graduation from high school and preferably at least an Associate’s Degree in Business and/or considerable work in Veteran Service work, or an equivalent combination of training & experience. Must be capable of passing a written exam given by the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs after one year of training. Once accreditation is awarded, a Veteran Service Officer must complete and pass the Federal TRIPS training course in order to be eligible to access the Federal Computer Files. Preference given for qualified military veteran applicants.

NCDMVA accredited Veteran Service Officer preferred

NACVSO National Veteran Service Officer certification preferred

• Thorough knowledge of current federal and state legislation relating to benefits for military service veterans and their dependents;
• Thorough knowledge of programs and activities of other agencies rendering services to veterans;
• General knowledge of the legal documents and processes necessary to substantiate benefit claims;
• Ability to tactfully conduct interviews of a personal nature with veterans and their families as a means of obtaining accurate and complete information;
• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with veterans, veteran groups and government agencies;
• Ability to write complete and accurate reports and make specific recommendations;
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Ability to use online databases to enter information about veterans’ benefits;
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, County staff and others.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, handling or feeling and repetitive motions; frequently requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and lifting. It also requires standard vision requirements, vocal communication abilities to express or exchange ideas orally, sufficient hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels, and ability to operate machines, motor vehicles or equipment. Work has no exposure to environmental conditions and sometimes will be performed in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, court room, light traffic).

Special Requirements

Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Must successfully complete the Federal TRIPS training course.