Veterans' Services Officer - Veterans' Services - PAT III

Tippecanoe County Government; Terre Town (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Tippecanoe County Government seeks a Veterans' Service Officer to assist veterans, spouses, dependents and survivors with benefits. The role includes counseling, gathering documents, and coordinating with VA/IDVA and community resources.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, maintaining confidential records, preparing reports, and presenting information publicly. Occasional travel to assist clients and attend trainings is required.

Qualifications

• Must qualify for service under IN Code § 10-17-1-9 (2025).
• Experience with interviewing and counseling veterans and families.
• Knowledge of federal/state veterans' benefits and application procedures.
• Ability to supervise and manage staff and workflow.
• Strong written and oral communication with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterans and families with filing benefit applications/claims.
• Forward completed forms to VA or other agencies.
• Coordinate burial/marker benefits and flag placement at graves.
• Gather supporting evidence and assist with appeals as needed.
• Supervise assigned personnel, train, and evaluate performance.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Supervisory skills

Interviewing

Documentation

Education

Associate Degree in social work / human services / sociology

Tools

Copier

Calculator

Typewriter

Computer

Telephone

Job description

Description

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Incumbent serves as Veterans' Service Officer for Veterans' Services, responsible for providing assistance and information to eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors.

DUTIES

• Assists veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors with filing applications/claims for benefits, including interviewing, evaluating needs, providing information, literature and counseling, and completing application forms. Forwards completed application forms to Veterans' Administration (VA) or other appropriate agencies.
• Assists mortuaries and cemeteries in submitting documentation to appropriate agencies for veteran burial and marker benefits. Supplies American flags and coordinates placement/removal at veteran graves throughout county.
• Assists in obtaining supporting evidence for benefit applications as needed, such as birth and/or death certificates, divorce records and military service records. Assists in filing appeals of unfavorable decisions.
• Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, hiring, planning/ making work assignments, providing training and corrective instruction, evaluating performance, and maintaining discipline.
• Ensures maintenance of confidential records for each client. Maintains log of assistance provided to veterans, and prepares and submits activity summaries and statistical reports to Indiana Department of Veterans' Services (IDVA), service organizations, and/or County officials as required or requested.
• Responds to telephone inquiries, including researching, copying and mailing information and records, and making referrals to other community resources as needed. Makes public speaking presentations to various groups as requested, and plans/coordinates community activities, such as parades, ceremonies, and annual veterans' expo.
• Provides services in various locations to accommodate special needs of clients, including hospitals, detention facilities, nursing homes and residences.
• Maintains frequent communication with IDVA and VA personnel, including inquiring about delayed benefits, resolving conflicts, and determining appropriate procedures and actions.
• Recruits drivers and coordinates transportation of veterans to VA hospitals, and schedules maintenance/repair of van as needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of regulations governing veteran benefits, maintains inventory of current reference materials, and distributes brochures, forms, applications and related materials to local community organizations and individuals. Prepares/submits press releases regarding changes in benefits, as needed.
• Pursues and promotes state and federal legislation benefiting veterans, including occasionally making speaking presentations to legislators.
• Prepares and submits annual department budget to County Council, and administers budget upon approval, including authorizing payroll and other costs.
• Attends training seminars and annual recertification school as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must qualify for service under IN Code § 10-17-1-9 (2025).
• Must meet all other applicable hiring and retention requirements of Indiana State code, including, but not limited to, ability to satisfactorily complete oral and written examinations for certification/ recertification.
• Associate Degree in social work, human services, sociology or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal and state veterans' benefits, eligibility requirements and application procedures.
• Ability to supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, hiring, planning/making work assignments, providing training and corrective instruction, evaluating performance, and maintaining discipline.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations, prepare and administer department budget, and properly operate standard office equipment, such as copier, calculator, typewriter, computer, and telephone.
• Ability to maintain files/records, prepare detailed activity reports, and maintain confidentiality of department records and information as required.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County personnel, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, IDVA and VA personnel, service agencies, hospitals, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to prepare and make public speaking presentations.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, often under time pressure.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.
• Ability to occasionally work extended hours and occasionally travel out of town for meetings and training, sometimes overnight.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs duties according to state and federal rules, regulations, policies and procedures, exercising independent judgement in interpreting precedents and adapting standard methods to fit individual situations. Work requires consideration of many variables in determining applicable benefits and application procedures.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent applies standard practices of the profession in providing assistance to veterans. Incumbent receives administrative direction from a supervisory board, discussing unusual situations as needed. Work is reviewed primarily for technical accuracy, soundness of judgement, and compliance with precedent and legal requirements.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County personnel, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, service agencies, hospitals, IDVA and VA personnel, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, explaining/interpreting policies and procedures, resolving problems, and supervising personnel.

Incumbent reports directly to County Commissioners and Director of Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment involving sitting and walking at will, hearing communication, speaking clearly, handling/grasping/fingering objects and exposure to distraught and/or potentially hostile individuals. Incumbent periodically drives or travels in a vehicle to assist clients in their homes and other locations. Incumbent occasionally works extended hours and occasionally travels out of town for meetings and training, sometimes overnight.