Under administrative direction, performs specialized administrative and managerial work by planning, organizing, directing, staffing, and controlling the day-to-day operations of the Veterans Services Office within the Health Care Services Agency; serves as the County’s Veterans Service Officer; and does related or other work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single position class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system and is an at-will position. The incumbent is responsible for managing and participating in the work of the Veterans’ Services Office, which assists United States veterans or their dependents in applying for and receiving benefits provided under federal and state law and local ordinances. The incumbent supervises professional, technical and/or clerical staff that interviews veterans or dependents, determines potential eligibility for benefits, and assists them in filing proper and complete applications for such benefits. The incumbent receives administrative direction i from the Director of Health Care Services.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in this specification.
Plans, directs, and administers a comprehensive, strategic program to provide aid and assistance to veterans; develops and implements policies, procedures, and initiatives; establishes departmental goals and objectives.
Selects, assigns, trains, supervises, and evaluates professional, technical and/or clerical staff who assist veterans and dependents in applying for veteran benefits; provides technical direction to staff; initiates and conducts employee disciplinary processes as required; and participates in the more complex aspects of the work as needed.
Ensures that assigned activities are carried out in compliance with federal, state, and County mandates; monitors, reviews and audits workload units to ensure proper execution and makes corrections.
Oversees the maintenance of case records; oversees and coordinates the automation of systems and processes as appropriate; prepares, reviews and/or analyzes correspondence as well as statistical and narrative reports.
Acts as a liaison and develops relationships with San Joaquin County veterans and federal and state veteran agencies, County veteran groups, veteran hospitals, employment services, civic groups, community leaders and officials, and other community groups and organizations concerned with the welfare of veterans.
Interprets local, federal and state legislation affecting veterans; provides effective input to County authorities regarding revisions to federal, state, or county legislative platforms and the development of new legislation or regulations; recommends and implements policies and procedures to ensure that San Joaquin County veterans have the opportunity to receive all benefits to which they are entitled.
Regularly reports to and informs the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors on the status of departmental operations, proposed operational or procedural changes, legislative changes/requirements, and issues requiring attention.
Coordinates veterans’ access to health care services; may coordinate transportation to appropriate facilities in emergency cases.
Works in conjunction with the San Joaquin County Courts to administer the Veteran’s Treatment Court program to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism and reintegrate veterans into society.
Develops and coordinates public education and other outreach activities; makes presentations to various groups and organizations to outline and explain benefits to which veterans or dependents are entitled.
Administers the Veterans’ Services Office budget; develops justifications for budget requests on staffing, new programs, equipment, and other items; coordinates with fiscal staff to ensure proper delivery and expansion of services to meet community needs and the evaluation of outcomes in terms of cost effectiveness and efficiency; researches funding alternatives, including grants; prepares funding proposals and applications as required.
Performs related work as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Experience: Three years of experience in a public or private veteran assistance program determining the eligibility of veterans for benefits and helping them receive such benefits.
OR PATTERN II
Experience: Four years of technical or analytical administrative experience in a public agency setting that required the preparation of statistical and narrative reports and substantial public contact.
OR PATTERN III
Experience: Four years of technical experience determining eligibility and/or counseling clients regarding insurance, health, public assistance, or social service programs.
AND FOR ALL PATTERNS
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, social or behavioral science, or a closely-related field.
Substitution: Additional experience in any of the above patterns may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to two years.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1) In accordance with Sections 970-973 and 980 of the Military and Veterans Code of the State of California, must provide appropriate documentation of status as a United States armed forces veteran discharged under honorable conditions; AND 2) within six months of appointment, must complete a course of instruction in veterans’ benefits as prescribed by Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 14.629, and become accredited to prepare, present and prosecute claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Failure to obtain and maintain such accreditation may result in release from employment.
KNOWLEDGE
Federal, state, and local legislation, codes, regulations and programs related to veterans benefits and assistance programs; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claims and appeals practices, processes and procedures; local community veterans organizations and resources; interviewing and counseling techniques; basic principles and practices of public administration, including personnel and fiscal management; basic principles of supervision including the selection, training, motivation and evaluation of subordinates; modern office practices and procedures, including the effective use of information technology; basic medical terms associated with mental and physical disabilities.
ABILITY
Plan, organize, implement, and administer a veterans services program; understand, interpret and apply laws and regulations associated with veterans benefits; develop and implement program policies and procedures; analyze problems and develop solutions; supervise subordinate personnel; communicate effectively in both oral or written forms; prepare clear and concise letters, reports and other documents; make effective presentations; utilize technology effectively to accomplish job assignments; establish and maintain effective working relationships with veterans, their dependents, and others encountered during the course of work.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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