Veteran Services Director

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, behavioral sciences or related field and three years' experience in counseling, social services or administration including one year of supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicant must meet all requirements of Florida Statute 292.11, County and City Veteran Service Officer.  Training / testing administered by the Department of Veteran's Affairs must be successfully completed within 12 months of employment. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. 

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required. 

Position Summary

This is responsible administrative and supervisory work assisting veterans in matters pertaining to their rights and benefits under various Federal, State and County statutes in the Department of Community Support Services, Veterans Services Office.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for representing veterans, dependents and other stakeholders before various officials in regard to substantiating claims and developing good public relations and understanding of Veterans' affairs with various civic groups and the general public.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.
 

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Directs the establishment and implementation of all standard operating procedures for the Veterans' Services Office.
 Supervises and coordinates the activities of subordinate employees including determining work procedures and schedules; issuing instructions and assigning duties; reviewing work; recommending personnel actions; conducting performance reviews; and conducting departmental training and orientation.

Regularly reviews Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations regarding Veterans Administration and ensures departmental compliance to those regulations.
 Promotes community knowledge and understanding of departmental activities via contacts with the general public, civic groups, state and local officials and veterans.

Interviews and assists veterans and/or  dependents to determine type of eligibility for veterans’ benefits which include but are not limited to: Service-Connected Disability Claims, Non-Service Connected Pension Claims, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Burial and Memorial Benefits, Debt Waivers, Appeals, Medical Care, Educational Benefits, Life Insurance, Home Loan Guaranty, and Correction of Military Records.

Represents Veteran/clients in locating, researching, securing, and developing necessary paperwork and supporting documentation for filing of fully developed and traditional VA claims and prepares for the adjudication process. 
 

Researches military and veteran service records to build effective VA claims linking injuries, exposures, secondary illnesses and injuries etc. to active duty service and compiles evidence including military service records, military medical records, VA medical records, presumptive illnesses and sicknesses using Veterans Laws, Rules and Regulations. 

Documents all contacts with and services provided on behalf of Veterans assigned to caseload.  Maintains confidential records in accordance with all requirements of the data privacy laws and HIPAA. 
  Contacts doctors and other individuals relative to furnishing pertinent affidavits and evidence.

Monitors staff to ensure adherence to established objectives, policies and procedures, audits case files, and reviews performance and outcome data.

Provides direction concerning program operation and counseling clients related to claims.
Drives a County and/or personal vehicle regularly to perform job duties.
 Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
 NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 Thorough knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing Veterans' benefits under Federal, State and County statutes.
Knowledge of modern principles and practices of administration and organization including general budgeting, accounting and personnel techniques and management principles and practices.

Ability to exercise good judgment assisting in the solution of Veterans' problems.

Ability to interpret various Federal, State and County statutes dealing with Veterans' affairs.
 Ability to supervise and organize the work of professional and clerical staff; develop capable staff; enforce disciplinary procedures, coach and counsel staff and effectively appraise employee performance.

Ability to decide upon a reasonable and effective course of action in emergency situations and to anticipate and prevent development of such situations.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including public speaking and written reports and memoranda.
 Ability to establish and utilize effective public relations programs and techniques to promote community awareness of Veterans' Services.

Ability to read and understand medical records and medical terminology.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk or sit. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision.
 WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$65,956.80 Annually