STATE VETERANS' SERVICE OFFICER - 50000905

Requisition [[ID]]‎
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STATE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER – GAINESVILLE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS Bureau of Field Services Gainesville VA Medical Center
Gainesville, Alachua County
Annual Salary: $45,479.98

Paid Bi-weekly
‎ ‎
Excellent retirement package and optional deferred compensation plan.  Health, vision, ‎dental, disability, and other supplemental insurance available at reasonable premium ‎rates.  Paid vacation and sick leave.  Nine (9) paid holidays and personal day.  Tuition ‎waiver available for State Universities and Community Colleges (up to 6 credits per ‎semester).‎

Education and employment history must be verifiable. Please attach any ‎credentials you claim (degrees, certifications, etc.) to your application.‎

***Other vacant positions may be filled from this advertisement within six (6) months ‎of the closing date. ***‎

‎MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:‎

• Applicant must have served as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States ‎and separated from such service with an honorable discharge. A DD-214 member ‎copy 4 or comparable document MUST accompany your application. ‎
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license.‎
• Must have the ability and willingness to deal effectively and professionally at all ‎times with diverse individuals.‎
• Excellent customer service skills.‎
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work effectively with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to include public speaking.‎
• Strong organization skills and ability to multi-task. ‎
• Successful completion of the due diligence process, to include but not limited to, a ‎Level II background check and drug screen.‎
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:‎
Preference will be given to candidates with the following knowledge, skills ‎and abilities, as listed on their employment application / resume.‎

• Three (3) years’ employment experience as a Veterans Service Officer or ‎comparable title / experience counseling and handling veterans' affairs.‎
• One (1) year of interviewing experience
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. E-7 or above rank ‎may substitute for the required education.‎ Direct experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and Outlook.‎
• Proficiency in web-based applications and specialized internet research.
• Experience with FDVA Vetra-Spec and VA VMBS program applications.‎
   

POSITION DESCRIPTION: ‎

• The incumbent will be assigned to the Bureau of Field Services, VA Medical ‎Center located in Gainesville, FL - Alachua County. The primary responsibility of ‎the incumbents in the positions allocated to this class is to perform ‎administrative and professional duties required to work within the medical clinic ‎and vet center as needed, interviewing veterans and family members, preparing ‎and submitting claims for benefits to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. ‎This task will be accomplished using established policies and procedures to ‎ensure that all phases of assigned duties are covered.‎
• Advocate with purpose and passion for Florida veterans and link them to superior ‎services, benefits and support.  Meet, interview, counsel, using VA Data systems ‎and obtain information in order to prepare and submit claims for any / all federal ‎and state benefits that each client may be entitled to receive. Assist in preparing ‎and perfecting” appeals”, provide representation at fee basis, hardship eligibility ‎hearings, request for waivers of federal entitlements, military discharge review ‎hearings or Regional Office VA hearings as required.‎
• Review and interpret VA laws, rules and regulations affecting veteran’s ‎entitlements in applying for federal and state veterans’ benefits. Respond to ‎telephonic or written inquiries from citizens, veterans, dependents, Post, Chapter, ‎County, and State Veterans Service officers with accurate and complete ‎information. Provide accurate and current information relative to problems with the ‎administration of benefits with the local agency of jurisdiction, process daily ‎incoming mail and correspondence.  Complete forms and documents utilizing the ‎Department's Systems.  This includes entering all clients’ information into the ‎computer database. If working in a medical center or hospital, visit each new ‎admission to the medical center at the request of the veteran or health care ‎provider within 48 hours of the request.‎
• Assist all accredited organizations, state, county or others in obtaining med