County Veterans Services Officer bei Chisago County Government

Closing Date: September 19, 2025
$40.34 to $53.13 DOQ

Position Objective

Performs difficult work coordinating, managing, and supervising the activities, staff, and operations of the Veterans Services Department, developing and overseeing the department budget; serving as an advocate for veterans, their dependents, or survivors by conducting interviews and research to develop and submit benefit claims to obtain the most advantageous service, program, or financial benefit allowed by local, state, and federal laws, managing files and records, preparing reports, and related work. Work is performed under the general direction of the Health & Human Services Director.           

Supervision is exercised over all department personnel.

Essential Functions

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

1. Advise and assist veterans/dependents in applying for and evaluating available federal benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), either by initiating or reopening claims.
   • Complete initial application, or reopen existing claims, for compensation (service-connected disabilities) or pension (non-service-connected disability), or survivors’ benefits.
   • Assess for in-service event such as accident, injury, or disease inclusive of physical and mental health conditions.
   • Develop a plan of care with the veteran addressing the gathering of evidence of the event(s) leading to the disability.
   • Outlines and gathers with the veteran, corroborating information, and documents from interested others, service-related collaborative, ship or unit logs, and other sources.
   • Assess for clear medical diagnosis.
   • Refer veteran to medical professionals who may treat and identify a diagnosis in support of claim for benefits.
   • Assess for a quality medical nexus opinion that in the professional judgment of a medical doctor would consider linking the disabling medical condition to an in-service event.
   • Assist survivors of a deceased veteran in obtaining death benefits such as burial in a national / state cemetery, burial allowances, government grave marker, government life insurance proceeds and survivor benefits (DIC, pension, accrued and / or substitution of claimant).
   • Advise and assist veterans on all phases of government life insurance, home loan benefits, debt management center’s recovery of overpayments, education benefits (G.I. Bill) and vocational rehabilitation.
   • Ensure claim timelines are met for present and future benefit eligibility.
   • Keep in contact with VA Officials and the veteran’s Power of Attorney (POA) / National Service Officers of the Military Service Organizations concerning the status of individual claims.
   • Develops proficiency in assisting the veteran in accessing after service education and employment programs, to support the returning veteran as a member of the Chisago County community.
2. Assist veterans/dependents in appeal of denied claims to the local federal VA Regional Office (VARO), the local Decision Review Officers, or the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington D.C.
   • Assess the denied claim for weakness of evidence and strategize with the veteran for developing additional evidence.
   • Assist the veteran in appeals of denied claims, gathering additional information to support the claim.
   • Assist veterans with personal hearings at the VARO; includes accompanying to hearing, offering facts and testimony relative to the claim under consideration.

• Advise and assist veterans in obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Health Care Systems (VAHCS) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOC)
  • Seek financial disclosure of income and assets and have the veterans obtain all necessary records for the VAHCS to enroll the veteran for health care.
  • Work with the VAHCS, CBOCs, and veteran to schedule necessary appointments.
  • Assist veteran in obtaining transportation to VAHCS.
  • Work with VA professionals in obtaining public health services, home health care, or placement in local nursing homes or the Minnesota Veterans Homes.

1. Advise and assist veteran/dependents in evaluating and applying for available state benefits from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).
   • Complete initial application, or reopen existing claims, for State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP) benefits for veterans and their dependents.
   • Appeal denied claims when appropriate.
   • Ensure that the veterans and dependents of the county are aware of these benefits.
2. Advise and assist military retirees and their dependents or survivors in evaluating and obtaining their benefits from the Department of Defense (DOD).
   • Assist in applying for or troubleshooting military retiree benefits, correction of DD-214 and upgrade of character of service
   • Advise retirees of medical insurance benefits or TRICARE and help with filing of applications.
   • Help retirees or their dependents with military I.D. Card Application.
   • Investigate history of unit through DOD to prove that veteran was in a combat zone, or a specific battle, to qualify for specific benefits.
3. Advise, assist, and evaluate non-veteran specific programs that veterans and their dependents or survivors may obtain benefits or services from and make referrals to these agencies.
   • Advises veterans and their dependents on services from Social Security, Small Business Administration, and other agencies.
   • Works with the County Health & Human Services Department to maximize ALL potential benefits.
   • Assists veterans in obtaining help from local hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

• Maintains credentials as a Veterans Services Officer
  • Keeps current on legislative and legal actions of federal and state veteran’s benefits.
  • Obtains continuing education credits to maintain CVSO eligibility for Chisago County to be in receipt of the Veterans Enhancement Grant. (To be eligible for the periodic CVSO Operational Enhancement Grants, the CVSO must maintain annual certification with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) obtaining the minimum of 16 continuing education units (C.E.U.) annually.)
• Advise and assist members and dependents of the National Guard and Reserve Components in obtaining appropriate benefits and assistance.
  • Provide information to deployed service members and their dependents about assistance programs during deployment and benefits upon return from active duty.
  • Attend and speak at information meetings for service members and their families.
  • Work with Family Assistance Centers in obtaining help for deployed service member’s families.

1. Markets information about and advocates for veterans benefits and services within the county.
   • Conducts a variety of Veterans services outreach initiatives, including but not limited to; public speaking, usage of media, individual orientation, collaborations with veteran’s organizations and interested individuals.
   • May oversee volunteer VSOs offering benefit information at County request, i.e., job fairs, health, and county fairs, etc.
2. Manages and ensures the keeping of office records, including file generation, privacy provisions, and retention policy and standards.
   • Follows county/ HHS policy and procedure for the management of veteran’s records.
   • Maintains current HIPPA training per county policy adhering to HIPPA guidelines in the delivery of veteran’s services.
   • Together with County MICS department and HHS offices services supervisory personnel follows records management guidelines and works with veteran’s services information management systems.
   • Oversees the work of the veteran’s services case aide having primary responsibility for veteran’s records management.
3. Manages the County Veterans Transit Program.
   • Utilizes a Bus Program Manuel that guides the safety operations and procedures of the bus, the drivers, and the passengers. Recommends changes to the manual.
   • Assures scheduling of appointments for medical rides following county plan.
   • Interviews and recommends for hire qualified drivers.
   • Field complaints and concerns for day-to-day operations.
   • Assures quality driving via regularly scheduled driver staff meetings, reviewing safe driving and passenger assistance procedures and individual driver evaluation.
   • Together with the HHS Fiscal Supervisor and the budget and fiscal policies of the HHS Department, manages veteran’s transit fiscal operations.
   • May drive or arrange transit for a veteran in distress to a medical health facility.

• Other administrative duties
  • Operates as a member of the HHS administrative team, following county, HHS department, and Labor policies in the delivery of the veteran’s services program
  • Following established policies, procedures, and labor agreements, supervises employees of the veteran’s services program.
  • Compiles and provides reports for the management of the veteran’s services program as requested/required.
  • Together with the HHS Fiscal Supervisor oversees management of the Veterans Services Grant.
  • With the HHS Fiscal Supervisor and HHS Director, works within the parameters of the established Veterans Services program budget.
  • Prepares grant applications to State and Federal agencies for special projects and equipment when available.
• Provide supportive services to veterans in District Court Adjudicative processes as requested by the Judicial Officer or Court Services / Probation.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Employee must have demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a wide variety of computer programs and systems.
• Must be able to maintain positive working relationship with County Attorney, County Administration, HHS Department Administrative team, consumers of the Veteran’s program and other county and community providers, committees and professionals, State and Federal offices.
• Demonstrates adherence to and knowledge of HIPAA and Data Practices in work assignment.
• Follows County, and Health and Human Services Department Policies and Procedures for management of program, self, and employees reporting to the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Federal rules, regulations, and statutes of the VA and MDVA
• Gains working knowledge of: Case law of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Etiology and relationship of medical conditions, medical terminology, human anatomy and (patho) physiology, Social Security, Medicare, and need-based federal and state programs
• Demonstrated proficiency in veterans benefit program offerings, including medical disabilities, employment, education, tax, housing, and other social support programs available for veterans.
• Must have ability to effectively communicate technical information in a respectful written and oral format to a broad audience
• Must possess critical thinking abilities
• Application of practical math concepts
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Understand, interpret, and apply federal laws and regulations
• Understand and interpret medical records and statements
• Counsel veterans and/or claimants, living with a broad array of conditions
• Possess the organizational skills to handle multiple complex claims simultaneously
• Makes recommendations to Administration regarding matters related to services to veterans.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree and considerable experience, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.

Special Qualifications

• Must meet the qualifications set forth in MN Statute197.601 to include:
• Residence in the State of Minnesota.
• Citizenship in the United States.
• A veteran as defined in the Minnesota Statutes, Section 197.447, “Veteran” means a citizen of the united States or a resident alien who has been separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States after having served on active duty for 191 consecutive days or by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty, or who has met the minimum active duty requirement as defined by Cold of Federal Regulations, title 38, second 3.12a, or who has active certified under section 401, Public Law 95-202.  The active military service must be certified by the United States Secretary of Defense as active military service and a discharge under honorable conditions must be issued by the secretary. Provide copy of DD-214 with character of service as honorable.
• Education and training for the duties of veteran’s service officer.
• Knowledge of the law and the regulations and rulings of the United States Veterans Administration applicable to cases before it and the administration thereof.
• Must achieve and maintain certification by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs as a County Veterans Service Officer or Assistant Veterans Service Officer according to MN Statute 197.605.

Tools and Equipment Used

Computer, copier, phone, fax, projector, automobile, software for the assignment, other miscellaneous equipment relative to position.

Working Conditions

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This classification occasionally involves physical agility requirements such as: climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, repetitive motions and manual dexterity.
• Sensory requirements include standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; and hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly works in an office setting.

Applicants for appointment to this position will be required to submit a formal application and may be subject to rating of education and experience, oral interview and/or reference check, background investigation, criminal history check, drug testing.  Job related tests may be required of any applicant.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee as is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.