Assistant Veteran Service Officer chez Brazoria County, TX

About the Department

Under the direction of the Veteran Service Officer, the assistant will perform moderately complex work involving Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. Assistant will Interview, advise, and assist Brazoria County veterans and their dependents in understanding and obtaining federal, state, and local benefits as well as provide information about available services, and refer clients to appropriate resources.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.   This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide claim counseling and reviews to veterans and their dependents; listen to the needs of claimants; meet with, advise, counsel, complete, and submit VA claim paperwork; perform data entry of claims and records necessary for direct submittal to the VA.
• Must have the ability to understand and apply Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rules and regulations when interviewing claimants, reviewing VA documents, and working cases.
• Must have the ability to analyze and solve problems; must be skilled in the use of computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Composes various correspondence, answers and responds to phone calls, mail, and emails from veterans, veterans families, external organizations, and other parties regarding veterans benefits including education, home loans, health care, home care, and related topics. 
• Submits documents to various agencies regarding veterans services; emails responses regarding veterans claims.
• Makes contact with the Veterans Administration to advocate on behalf of veterans.
• Logs all interactions for the compilation of statistics and activity reports.
• Attends veterans functions and meetings on behalf of the Veteran Service Officer as needed.
• Provides briefings, information, and services to home care facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes regarding veterans benefits as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. High school diploma or equivalent AND familiarity with veterans benefits programs and services; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience as determined by Human Resources. 

Knowledge of:

• Military services, functions, and duties of military jobs.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations, and policies. 
• Veteran Organizations and their respective functions.
• Code of Federal Regulations.
• Department policies, procedures, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies and organizations, community organizations. Health care providers and the general public.
• Using initiative, discretion, and decision making, within established procedures, guidelines, and rules.
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
• Providing effective customer service.
• Operating a personal computer and various software applications.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Accreditation as a claim representative with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Maintain annual Texas Veterans Commission Certification.

Possession of a valid Texas State driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is typically performed both in an office work environment. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Other Qualifications

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.