Veterans Services Officer - Homeless and Incarcerated Services - Anticipated Vacancy

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Veteran Services

Job Class Code: 0831
Grade: 25/Supervisory
Salary: $57,408.00-$81,078.40/Annually
Location: Chelsea/Togus

Opening Date: August 14, 2025

Closing Date:  August 28, 2025

Are you a veteran passionate about serving your peers? We’re seeking a Veterans Services Officer for Homeless and Incarcerated Services to strengthen our Homeless Veterans Coordination Team. You’ll guide Maine’s veterans, dependents, and survivors through complex benefits processes by ensuring they access every federal and state resource they’ve earned.

In this role, you will serve as the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services’ primary liaison for homeless and justice-involved veterans. You will represent the Bureau on the Homeless Veterans Action Committee, Justice Action Committee, and other statewide forums, and you’ll compile and analyze data to inform mandated legislative reports and policy decisions. You will maintain clear, consistent communication with the Supervisor of Veterans Services, bureau staff, and community partners across Maine. Frequent travel throughout the state is required. As our Veterans Services Officer for Homeless and Incarcerated Services, you will advocate for at-risk, homeless, and justice-affected veterans by facilitating access to state resources, securing federal benefits, and coordinating referrals to fellow state agencies and community organizations. Candidates must meet the federal definition of a veteran. 

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of basic supervisory techniques and office management practices
• Knowledge of various assistance agencies and services available to veterans and their dependents
• Ability to prepare and maintain records within client management software
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, managers, and the public
• Ability to deal effectively and compassionately with victims of trauma and/or depressed clients, including those with mental disorders or with chemical dependency
• Ability to conduct interviews with veterans and obtain information pertinent to veteran’s benefits
• Ability to maintain a respectful and professional relationship with claimants, supervisors, and VA personnel
• Ability to maintain a working relationship with veterans’ organizations, staff, volunteers, and news media; providing information regarding Bureau programs and services and performing field informational and claim visits to clients

Minimum qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in Business/Public Administration, Human Resources, Education, a Social Services/Behavioral Science area, or related field and two (2) years experience in directly providing and/or administering benefit programs, personnel administration, or related social services/human resources work.  Equivalent work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. 

Applicants must be veterans as defined by must be veterans as defined by 38 United States Code, Section 101 (2) who were separated with an honorable discharge. Proof of Veterans Status (DD Form 214) must accompany application.  The DD Form 214 must include the “Character of Service”.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

State of Maine & US Department of Veterans Affairs Training, Responsibility, Involvement, and Preparation (TRIP)

National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP)

Successful completion of fingerprinting and Federal background check

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Experience working on diverse personnel and sensitive issues is preferred. Experience working with federal and state veterans' benefits and services is preferred. Experience speaking and presenting in public is strongly preferred. Experience driving a truck towing a trailer is preferred.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Matthew Kennedy at matthew.r.kennedy@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.  In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications