Veteran's Service Officer

Winona County is accepting applications for this position until 4:00 p.m. April 26, 2021. The position of Veterans Services Officer is appointed for a four-year term.

This position starts at $28.62/hour (DOQ) with advancement up to $36.10/hour.

Characteristics of Class:
Under general direction of the County Administrator, an employee in this classification aids persons who served in any of the Armed Services of the United States in obtaining benefits provided by law. A person in this class assists, advises, and counsels claimants, their dependents and beneficiaries to help promote prompt and efficient receipt and adjudication of claims. An employee in this class also helps all veterans secure counseling or treatment for alcohol and drug dependency needs.

Examples of Duties:
Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples listed in their relative order of importance include all duties that may be found in positions of this class.

• Initiate and prepare claims and assist veterans or their dependents in presenting claims for benefits, including pensions, education, life insurance, and loan guarantees.
• Assist veterans, or dependents of a veteran, in obtaining evidence in support of a claim.
• Prepare claims for increase in service-connected compensation because of increase in disability or increase in number of dependents.
• Assist eligible veterans in gaining admission to a Veterans Administration Hospital and assist them to receive outpatient medical and dental treatment.
• Assist service members and families during period of activation.
• Assist survivors of a deceased veteran in obtaining death benefits.
• Work with the Health & Human Services Department in obtaining assistance for disabled veterans, widows and their dependents.
• Represent veterans, as assigned by the Veteran’s Administration, to protect their interest due them by virtue of their veteran status.
• Operate, maintain, and schedule County van service.
• Establish and maintain communication with veterans’ organizations (and civic organizations when asked), appear at meetings, periodically, to explain programs and activities of the office.
• Prepare and submit a monthly report of activities to the Commissioner of the State Department of Veterans Affairs and the Board of County Commissioners.
• Help veterans with other than honorable discharge to upgrade the classification.
• Prepare applications and supporting documents for special benefits, such as invalid lifts, bonuses, prosthetic appliances, and specially authorized housing benefits.
• Assist retirees, active-duty personnel, and their dependents to enroll in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System), acquire ID cards and file TRICARE claims.
• Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences and confer with professionals in order to keep up to date on the latest changes in Federal and State laws and regulations. Obtain and maintain certification by the MN Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Any combination of training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

For Pre-Employment:

• Resident in the State of Minnesota.
• Citizenship in the United States.
• A veteran as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 197.447.
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent knowledge gained through experience and/or education.
• One to two years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work in a confidential manner.
• Proficient use of computer software such as Microsoft Windows Applications, Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with the State Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans served by the office, County employees and the general public.
• Ability to problem solve is essential: determine the best course of action, use individual judgment, inquire into, troubleshoot and expedite necessary claims, problem solve complex issues, not be arbitrary, appropriately utilize all pertinent laws and regulations, and review work and decisions for correctness and accuracy.
• Ability to coordinate efforts with different agencies.
• Math skills sufficient to evaluate financial and budget information; accurately calculate amounts of assistance; determine need and eligibility for benefit programs.
• Ability to demonstrate planning, organizing and accomplishing work in a timely efficient and effective manner.

The Veterans Services Officer must agree to receive, within six months of the appointment, training and education for the duties of the position, including development of an effective working knowledge of relevant laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as applicable to veteran’s cases before the department and the administration of those cases.