State of Maryland

A Veteran Benefits Specialist I is the intermediate level of work assisting veterans and their dependents in obtaining State, federal and local benefits and services.  Employees in this classification interview veterans and their dependents, verify information and determine eligibility for benefits and services.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision a Veteran Benefits Specialist Supervisor or other administrator.  Employees in this classification may be assigned to a regional office or central office.  The work may require travel throughout the State.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Veteran Benefits Specialist I and the Veteran Benefits Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Veteran Benefits Specialist I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the specific duty being performed while the Veteran Benefits Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Interviews veterans and their dependents to determine eligibility for veterans’ benefits and services, such as service-related disability benefits, widow and orphan benefits, burial benefits, medical care, pensions, etc.;

Obtains information and documentation through correspondence, analysis of official documents and records and interviews with claimants, physicians, veterans’ families and other interested parties;

Initiates and presents claims for compensation, insurance, pensions and other benefits and services to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies on behalf of veterans;

Prepares and submits appeals contesting claim denials or awarded benefit amounts;

Appears before the Veterans Appeal Board on behalf of veterans;

Acts as a liaison with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and local veteran organizations for timely expedition of claims and appeals;

Prepares and presents a variety of materials, such as pamphlets, booklets, media presentations, exhibits and public speeches to promote and publicize veterans’ benefits and services;

Prepares and processes applications for tax relief, automobile registration, scholarships and other benefits offered to veterans and their dependents;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of methods and techniques for compiling, analyzing and organizing data and information;

Ability to use computer applications;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to gather, review and clarify medical data;

Ability to understand, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in order to respond to inquiries, make determinations and resolve problems;

Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with staff members, other agencies and institutions and the general public;

Ability to prepare clear, accurate and detailed comprehensive reports;

Ability to maintain routine and confidential logs, files and other records.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

1. In accordance with United States Code, Title 38, Section 5901-5905, employees in this classification must be certified as a Veterans’ Services Counselor by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs within one year of employment.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used in various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.