Veterans' Service Officer I

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Veteran Service Officer I to help veterans access benefits and services. The role includes training to become certified and accredited, with duties that involve interviewing veterans, gathering records, filing claims with the federal VA, and managing claims through to resolution.

Travel to support outreach and state-wide engagement is required, and a background check plus accreditation by the DVA Office of Legal Counsel are prerequisites within

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent with two years or more work experience at a technical level in an administrative, human services, or counseling setting.
• Alternatively, one year of college coursework in a Human Services or relevant field plus one year of work experience in a technical administrative or counseling setting.

Responsibilities

• Learning the legal and procedural requirements to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Interviewing veterans and family members to gather information to file a claim with the federal VA.
• Gathering records and files to substantiate a claim.
• Processing forms and letters to support the claim.
• Case management for tracking the claim process from start to finish, including appeals of denied claims.
• Outreach to veterans statewide, with some travel required.

Job description

Overview

The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs is looking for a Veteran Service Officer I who will play a pivotal role to veterans by facilitating their access to benefits, which they may have otherwise not received. They will actively work to serve the needs of Vermont veterans and their families and will undergo training to be certified and accredited as a Veteran Service Officer.

Duties Include

• Learning the legal and procedural requirements in order to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Interviewing veterans and family members to gather information to file a claim with the federal VA.
• Gathering records and files to substantiate a claim.
• Processing the necessary forms and letters needed to support the claim.
• Case management for tracking the claim process from beginning to end, to include justifiable appeals of denied claims.
• Outreach to veterans is conducted state-wide, some travel is required.

This position requires the candidate to pass a Federal, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), background check and the ability to be certified by the DVA Office of Legal Counsel to take veterans' Power of Attorney and represent them before DVA.

Who May Apply

This position, Veterans' Service Officer I (Job Requisition #55388), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Environmental Factors

Duties are generally performed in a standard office setting, but extensive field work will necessitate private means of transportation. Adversarial situations may be encountered for which tact and diplomacy will be needed. Clients with mental health challenges may be encountered for which awareness of the situation, patience, and consideration for safety will be needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent AND two (2) years or more work experience at a technical level in an administrative, human services, or counseling setting.
• OR
• One (1) year of college coursework in a Human Services or relevant field AND one (1) year of work experience at a technical level in an administrative, human services, or counseling setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with Federal and State veterans benefits and services.

Special Requirements

• Must become accredited by the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veteran Service Officer within the first year of employment and must maintain re-accreditation in each subsequent year.
• Must complete US Department of Veterans Affairs requirements for claims representation within the first 6-months of hire to include: Pass TRIP training, fingerprinting requirements, and a federal background check through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Must continuously hold a valid driver's license.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.