State of Maryland

A Veteran Benefits Manager is the managerial level of work managing a statewide benefits and services program for the Maryland Veterans Commission.  Employees in this classification are responsible for the overall direction of the Veterans Service Program in Maryland.  Employees in this classification supervise Veteran Benefits Specialist Supervisors.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from a higher-level Administrator.  Employees in this classification are responsible for service centers located 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 Manager is differentiated from the Veteran Benefits Specialist Supervisor in that the Veteran Benefits Specialist Manager has responsibility for the Maryland Veteran Service Program and supervisory responsibility for Veteran Benefits Supervisors while the Veteran Benefits Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for supervises lower-level Veteran Benefits Specialists.

Directs the activities of the Maryland Veterans Service Program;

Plans, organizes and supervises the work of assigned subordinate personnel;

Develops, implements and monitors departmental programs, policies and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness;

Reviews new and proposed State, federal and local legislation concerning veteran services and benefits and makes recommendations regarding the impact on existing and future Maryland veterans programs;

Participates in the preparation of the program budget by monitoring expenditures, projecting future expenditures and making recommendations to contain costs;

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

Acts as a liaison with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

Gives testimony before the local Veterans Board of Appeals and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

Performs other related duties.

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

Knowledge of State, federal and local laws, rules and regulations concerning benefits, privileges, and obligations to veterans and their families;

Skill in reviewing and clarifying personal and medical data;

Skill in preparing clear, accurate and detailed comprehensive reports;

Skill in understanding, interpreting and applying laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in order to make determinations and resolve problems;

Ability to plan, coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of lower-level Veteran Benefits Specialists and other subordinate positions;

Ability to communicate effectively;

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

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

Experience: Four years of experience providing services to veterans and their dependents, one year must have included supervising lower-level Veteran Benefits Specialists.

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

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that 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 by 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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.