Under general supervision, counsels, advises and provides advocacy to veterans, their dependents or survivors on federal, state and local veterans’ benefits and rights; prepares and transmits claims for benefits; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey level class in the Veterans Service Representative series. Incumbents in this class work with more independence and may be responsible for branch office operations and fieldwork.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Prepares claims packages; completes claims forms and documents for submission to the Veterans Administration for a wide range of veteran and survivor benefits; advises claimants of required supporting documentation; insures documentation is included in claim package when possible.
Assists clients in securing evidence to complete claim package, including legal documents, medical records, service records and other documentation which supports entitlement to benefits.
Provides information regarding benefits available to veterans and/or their dependents, including conditions of entitlement; advises clients about and explains vocational, educational, financial, and medical rights and benefits; provides information regarding community resources.
Verifies entitlement to benefits for non-veteran administration programs; invites claim action as appropriate; coordinates with other County agencies.
Conducts outreach; addresses groups regarding functions and responsibilities of the office; visits homes, hospitals or other sites as required.
Maintains liaison with veteran’s organizations and community organizations.
Prepares and maintains reports and correspondence.
May direct the work of and assist in training lower level staff.
May act for the County Veterans Services Officer as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Experience: One year as a Veterans Service Representative I in San Joaquin County service.
OR PATTERN II
Education: Completion of 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units from an accredited college or university with course work in military science, business or public administration, psychology, health science, social science or a related field.
Experience: One year working directly with veterans to determine their eligibility for benefits and help them prepare benefit claims, in a county veterans’ service office, a veteran’s service contact office, a Veterans’ Administration regional office, or a military installation.
Substitutions: The following additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis, where one year of experience is considered equivalent to 30 semester (or 45 quarter) college units: 1) clerical or administrative support experience in a county veterans service, a veterans’ service contact office, or a Veterans’ Administration regional office; OR 2) technical administrative experience in a government, military, health care or social service agency that included interviewing clients to determine their eligibility for services or program benefits, as well as researching and explaining policies, laws, and/or regulations; OR 3) experience in a county veterans’ service office, a veteran’s service contact office, a Veterans’ Administration regional office, or a military installation, that involved working directly with veterans to determine their eligibility for benefits and help them prepare benefit claims.
AND FOR BOTH PATTERNS
Special Requirements: Must have completed a course of instruction in Veterans Benefits as prescribed by Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 14.629 AND be accredited by the California Department of Veterans Affairs as a Service Organization Representative.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Federal, state and local laws relating to veterans’ rights, benefits and obligations; methods and techniques of data collection and evaluation; basic principles of human behavior; methods and techniques for maintaining records and filing systems; relevant community resources and service programs, and the procedures of obtaining services; public relations, interviewing and counseling methods and techniques; medical terms used in veterans-related legislation, regulations and claims presentation; modern office automation technology and standard office computer software programs.
ABILITY
Read, understand, and apply laws and regulations pertaining to the rights and benefits of veterans; elicit information from veterans and their family members; collect, interpret, analyze, and assemble data from various sources into a claim; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; operate computers and related software and apply computer applications to departmental functions; make daily travel throughout San Joaquin County; prepare and give public presentations; prepare reports and correspondence; maintain records.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; Lifting—frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; read computer screens; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity–reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking—frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; deal with emergency situations; Special Requirements –some assignments may require working weekends/nights; working alone; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
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.
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