Veteran Services Specialist

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, social work, counseling, or behavioral Science; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants must meet all requirements of Florida Statute 292.11.(http//www.leg.state.fl.us)  which states A county or city veteran service officer must be a veteran who served as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States during a period of war, as defined in Title 38, U.S.C.; who served at least 18 months' active duty in the Armed Forces; and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran. Any honorably discharged wartime veteran who was so discharged for service-connected or aggravated medical reasons before serving 18 months of active duty; who completed a tour of duty other than active duty for training, regardless of the length of the tour; or who satisfied his or her military obligation in a manner other than active duty for training or reserve duty shall be eligible for employment as a county or city veteran service officer. Every county or city veteran service officer, in order to be eligible for employment as a county or city veteran service officer, shall have a 2-year degree from an accredited university, college, or community college or a high school degree or equivalency diploma and 4 years of administrative experience.  You must be a Veteran with a DD214 which is required for verification or a letter from a Commanding Officer with dates of service and character of service. You must be a Veteran with a DD214 which is required for verification or a letter from a Commanding Officer with dates of service and character of service.  

 Required training 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 professional counseling work in the County's Veteran Services Office.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for advising and assisting veterans and dependents, and other stakeholders in matters pertaining to their rights and benefits under various federal and state statutes and representing veterans before various officials.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of the 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.
 Works effectively with clients which may include those who are terminally ill, dependents of those who are terminally ill, mentally ill including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, other mental health conditions, physically disabled, victims of military sexual trauma or other sensitive areas.
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 with claims to Department of Veterans Affairs as the Claimant's Representative.
Assists veterans/clients in locating, researching, securing, and developing necessary paperwork and supporting documentation for filing of fully developed and traditional VA claims and prepares forms for the adjudication process.
 
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.

Acts as an advocate for veterans, their dependents, and other stakeholders.

Maintains contact with local and State Service Officials to ensure that all claims filed with the Veterans' Administration are properly adjudicated.

Communicates via telephone, email and face-to-face concerning  all  VA  benefits  for  veterans  and/or dependents.

Consults with the Veterans' Services Director in reviewing correspondence regarding claims to ensure that veterans obtain proper evaluation of their disabilities or basic entitlements to VA benefits.

Researches military and veteran service records to build effective VA claims linking injuries, diseases, 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.
 
Prepares appeals of cases to be sent to the Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC; Prepares appeals for discharge review by the military Armed Forces Review Board.

Refers and coordinates assistance to veterans in need of medical and/or behavioral car and services to the Veterans' Administration Medical Center or community-based resources.

Visits homebound, nursing home and hospitalized veterans to assist with claims.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle regularly to perform duties.

Continuously reviews local, federal and state laws, rules and regulations on VA benefits and appeals processing.

Assists and supports Veteran related community events as scheduled and approved by the Veteran Services Director.
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

Considerable knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing veterans' benefits under federal and state statutes.

Considerable knowledge of current principles, practices, and techniques for counseling a variety of clients.

Knowledge of various community agencies/services available to aid clients.

Ability to use judgement, strategy, troubleshoot and expedite claims when necessary.
 
Ability to problem solve complex cases arbitrarily utilizing comprehensive knowledge of all pertinent rules, regulations, and statutes. 
Ability to exercise good judgment in assisting in the solution of veterans' problems.

Ability to establish effective long-term working relationships with veterans, veterans' agencies, civic groups, other County employees and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare clear and concise written reports.

Ability to interpret various local, federal, and state statutes dealing with Veterans' affairs.

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 and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach and to be mobile.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.


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.

$45,760.00 Annually