Veterans Service Officer

JOIN OUR TEAM AS A VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER!

Job Title:  Veterans Service Officer

Closing Date/Time:  Thu. 11/14/24 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Salary:  $23.92 - $33.49 Hourly

Job Type:  Full Time

Location:  Dade City & Land O' Lakes & New Port Richey, Florida

Department:  Veterans Services

General Description:  Duties for this role include advising and assisting veterans and their dependents in matters pertaining to their rights and benefits under various Federal, State, and local statutes.

Essential Job Functions:  Interviews veterans and their dependents to assess their needs and eligibility for benefits. Advises and assists claimants in applying for compensation due to service incurred disability, veterans and widower pension, death benefits insurance, education, enrollment for VA health care, domiciliary care, specially adapted housing, adaptive equipment, home loans, and veterans preference in employment. Makes inquiries as necessary to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as well as state and local agencies in order to resolve problems on behalf of the veterans or dependents. Acts as liaison between clients and VA Medical Centers/Outpatient clinics. Works with representatives of a variety of agencies on matters related to veterans. Assists veterans in research development and application for correction of military records and Discharge Review Boards. May be required to attend related training courses and conferences. May perform duties at established satellite locations. Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Considerable knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations governing veterans benefits.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in counseling and in assisting in the solution of veterans problems.
• Ability to enlist and retain the respect, confidence, and cooperation of veterans and agencies.
• Ability to interpret various statutes dealing with veterans affairs.
• Ability to fill out forms precisely and completely.
• Ability to maintain files.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, with employees, veterans, their dependents, civic groups, community service organizations and the general public.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use a personal computer, including Microsoft Office applications.

Minimum Requirements:

***DD214 MUST be submitted at the time of applying to be considered for this position.***

PHYSICAL SKILLS:  Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written, visual communication.
 EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate degree and two (2) years' military experience. Must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Three (3) years of administrative experience which included interviewing or counseling duties.
*Preference will be given to candidates having direct experience in the administration of veterans affairs.  Candidates must attend and pass a current year's training program conducted by Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, per Section 292.11, Florida Statutes, to be qualified to perform the duties as a County Veterans Service Officer.

In House Candidates:  This position qualifies for DAP.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:  Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must attend and successfully complete the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Certification course within one (1) year of employment.

ADA STATEMENT:  A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE:  Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:  All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE:  Under Section 295.07, F.S., chapter SSA-7 Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants. 
 PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021