Hybrid Veteran Services Officer presso Boulder County, CO

About the Department

Boulder County Community Services Department is seeking to hire a Veteran Services Officer. Veterans Service Officers (VSO) advise and advocate for veterans and their dependents on state and federal entitlements that include pensions, compensation, Veteran Administration law, insurance, health care, education. The primary role of the VSO is the preparation and processing of Veteran Benefits Administration claims. Additional areas of focus include fostering partnerships, community outreach, and education. Veteran Services staff serve as leaders on veteran issues in Boulder County and support veteran initiatives throughout Colorado.

The Veteran Services program is on the Healthy Aging Team at the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging; this position is supervised by the Healthy Aging Program Manager.

This is a full-time, benefited position that will work Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position will work out of 3482 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt. 

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

Hiring Salary Range: $68,976.00 - $84,138.00 Annually

Tentative Hiring Timeline:

• Phone Screening: Week of September 8th
• First Round Interviews: Week of September 15th
• Second Round Interviews: Week of September 22nd
• Reference Check: Week of September 24th

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.

Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Position Duties

1. Meet with veterans and dependents to gather pertinent information about eligibility and need
2. Research federal statutes, laws, and regulations pertaining to benefits and claims by military veterans and dependents
3. Coordinate, facilitate, and monitor Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) claims submissions
4. Develop strategies, legal precedents, and opinions using guidance from various federal sources to give direction and provide advocacy in post-decisional hearings and appeals processes
5. Participate in ongoing learning and development to maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations
6. Collaborate with other county departments and divisions to advance veterans initiatives
7. Maintain VBA accreditation
8. Maintain knowledge of local veteran resources
9. Provide systems level advocacy and insight regarding veteran access and needs
10. Conduct community outreach, provide information and education to the public, represent the office at community events
11. Collaborate with CDVA (Colorado Division of Veteran Affairs) to ensure compliance to federal and state statutes
12. Track and enter client and claims data into mandated claims management system
13. Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA, VA regulations, and county policies
    
14. Performs related work, as required
15. May be reassigned during emergency situations

Minimum Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of 8 years of combined education and experience.

Additional related education may count towards required experience.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

Other Qualifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Accredited Officer through the Veterans Benefits Administration or willing to obtain accreditation within timeline determined by the program
•  Honorably discharged veteran from the military forces of the United States

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Resourcefulness: Marshals resources (people, funding, material, and support) to get things done; orchestrates multiple activities simultaneously to accomplish a goal; gets the most out of limited resources; applies knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to resourcing efforts
• Ensures Accountability: Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same. Acts with a clear sense of ownership. Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results
• Communicates Effectively: Is effective in a variety of communication settings - one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels; attentively listens to others; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization; encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions
• Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Partners with others to get work done. Gains trust and support of others
• Thorough knowledge of the assigned program
• Skill in developing and negotiating community partnerships
• Ability to be thorough and accurate
• Ability to maintain accurate records and comply with local, state, and federal regulations and requirements
• Ability to work effectively with other employees, agencies, and the public
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and de-escalate tense situations
• Knowledge of and/or experience with veteran culture and benefits systems
• Knowledge of local community resources for veterans
• Skills in solution-focused problem solving
• Skills in interviewing, counseling, and administration
• Skills in attention to detail and communication (both written and verbal)
• Strong computer skills, including but not limited to: Excel, Word, Outlook, Web-based systems

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.