VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER

Clear Creek County; Idaho Springs (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Health, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off (PTO)

Education assistance

Job summary

Clear Creek County is seeking a Veterans Service Officer to assist veterans and dependents with benefits, process VA/state filings, and maintain claims documentation. You will work with county and regional agencies to ensure accurate submissions and timely information.

The role requires an understanding of federal and Colorado veterans laws and strong client communication. The position involves reporting to the County Board, participating in trainings, and engaging in outreach to enroll veterans

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current federal and state legislation relating to veterans' benefits.
• Knowledge of programs serving veterans and related agencies.
• Ability to prepare and verify documentation for benefit claims.
• Ability to conduct interviews with veterans and families with professionalism.
• Understanding of confidentiality and customer service in a government setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterans and dependents with benefits information and eligibility.
• Maintain files and process forms for VA/state filings.
• Assist claimants with proper forms and required documentation.
• Prepare monthly activity reports for the Colorado Division of Military and Veterans Affairs.
• Attend trainings to stay updated on veterans' benefits and claims processes.
• Engage in community outreach and enroll veterans into VA health care.
• Encourage recording discharge papers with county clerk as needed.
• Prepare and administer the Budget for the Veterans Service Office.
• Represent the office at speaking engagements and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legislation knowledge

Veterans benefits programs

Legal documents familiarity

Interviewing skills

Professionalism & confidentiality

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

County government knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Board of County Commissioners appoints this position for a two-year term, with each successive reappointment lasting another two years. It is subject to the advice and counsel of the chief officer of each post of the regularly established and existing veterans' organizations of Clear Creek County. This position is shared with Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties and will report back to the Board of Commissioners of both counties. Responsibilities include assisting veterans and current military personnel and/or their dependents regarding benefits to which they are entitled.

Benefits

Clear Creek County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement, health, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; county-paid life, critical illness, accident, and hospital insurance; county-paid short- and long-term disability; generous paid time off (PTO); sick leave; education assistance, and more.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES

• Provides assistance within the guidelines, policies, and procedures established by the federal, or Colorado Division of Military and Veterans Affairs (VA). Responds to requests from veterans, their families, and survivors for any information regarding rights and benefits. Assists veterans and eligible family members within Clear Creek County and the State of Colorado.
• Electronically maintains current files on all forms and applications necessary for filing claims with state or federal VA agencies.
• Assists claimants in preparing the proper application forms for veteran benefit programs. Assists with obtaining and verifying documentation necessary to process claims.
• Maintains a daily activity report of all client contacts and activities such as filing claims and providing information and referrals. Prepares monthly activity reports as required for the Colorado Division of Military and Veterans Affairs and the County Commissioner's office.
• Attends annual Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs training conferences and seminars to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in current veteran's benefits and claims processes and new policies and programs with state and federal VA agencies.
• Conducts community outreach programs, coordinating with other human services providers within the County Veterans Service agencies and conducting on-site enrollments into VA Health Care at public function meetings and veteran's homes.
• Encourages veterans to record the veteran's discharge papers with the County Clerk and Recorder.
• Prepares and administers budget for the Veteran's Service Office.
• Participate and conduct speaking engagements for various functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Shall be a resident of the state, shall have served in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or any auxiliary branch and shall have been honorably discharged, or shall be an officer released from active duty with the U.S. armed forces and placed on inactive duty.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience or equivalent to high school graduation or general education degree (GED), and one year of general office experience. Database operation and/or training preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Knowledge of current federal and state legislation relating to benefits for military service veterans and their dependents. Knowledge of programs and activities of other agencies serving veterans. Knowledge of legal documents and processes necessary to substantiate benefit claims. If limited knowledge at start of employment, training will be mandatory to acquire.

Ability to tactfully conduct interviews of a personal nature with veterans and their families to obtain accurate and complete information.

Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives including effective written and oral communication; ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed; and the ability to listen.

Must posses strong interpersonal, and some decision‑making skills.

Ability to establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships with veterans, the public, county departments, co‑workers, veterans groups and other agencies.

Knowledge of the functions of county government.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Drivers License.

Must be able to pass the Colorado Veterans Affairs certification tests within first year of appointment.

Must pass background check: Criminal and Traffic

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Incumbent may occasionally spend time in an outside environment with exposures to inclement weather. This position requires sedentary work approximately 80% of the time which involves: standing, walking, grasping, pushing, pulling, stretching, bending, and lifting and/or carrying 10-50 pounds. Clear vision at 20 inches or less and up to 20 feet or more (use of corrective eyewear is acceptable). Work includes hearing voice conversations, telephone conversations, and keyboarding. Work may require meeting deadlines set by others, and participation in evening meetings. The employee is required to travel regularly through the County and to make occasional trips to other locations that require overnight stays.

SUPERVISORY

May supervise veterans service volunteers. May supervise other clerical employees as directed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job‑related accommodations for disabled persons.

May supervise veterans service volunteers. May supervise other clerical employees as directed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job‑related accommodations for disabled persons.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job‑related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).