County Veteran's Service Officer

Walsh County Veteran's Service Officer

If you are compassionate and detail-oriented this might be for you! Those with a background or interest in healthcare, social work, counseling and any career that focuses on serving and supporting others would be an excellent fit for this position! Need not be a veteran to apply! 

The Walsh County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications for a County Veteran’s Service Officer. 

This is a full-time, benefitted position that exists to serve the needs of the veterans in Walsh County and surrounding areas. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to assisting all veterans and or family members in making claims for benefits to the US Department of Veterans Affairs; counseling veterans on their needs or making referrals; making house calls on shut-ins when required; managing an office and all records and files. 

Please see find more information on our county website at www.walshcountynd.com. Please submit application with resume to tanya@dakotadynamics.com, or deliver/mail to the County Auditor’s office at 600 Cooper Avenue, Grafton, ND  58237.  

Full earning potential DOE: Full range of approximately $43,000 - $60,000/year with an excellent benefit package! 

Application Deadline

Position is open until filled; application review will begin the week of August 11th so apply today!! If this ad is still posted, we are still accepting applications. 

Please see complete job description below:

Walsh County, North Dakota 

Job Description

Job Title:  County Veterans Services Officer                        Job Status:  Full-time (Regular)

Department:  Veterans Services                                           FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Reports to: Board of Commissioners                                   Date:  05/15/2025

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Board of County Commissioners, the Veterans Service Officer advises local veterans and their dependents of their rights and entitlements under various federal and state laws, counsels them, and actively assists them by filling out necessary forms and papers and obtaining documents and affidavits.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Residence in the State of North Dakota
• Citizenship in the United States
• Valid North Dakota driver license with a clean driving record.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and experience in scanning documents.
• Associate’s Degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; one to two years related experience and training; or equivalent combination of relevant/related education and experience. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Background in social work, healthcare, criminal justice, or related field.

Certificates and Licenses

• Must be accredited by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) or the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) within twelve months of appointment or employment, in accordance with ND Century Code 37-14-18. (Attainable through on the job training)
• Must be able to pass a federal background check in order to obtain a Personal Identity Verification card from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Must be able to travel to Fargo for a multiple-day training with the NDDVA within the first month of employment.

Special Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment located in the Walsh County Law Enforcement Center. 
• Occasional travel to visit veterans or their dependents in their homes, when required. 
• A work cell phone is provided.
   

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Interviews, counsels, and assists veterans/dependents in applying for available federal benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
  1. Compensation (service-connected disability claims), low-income pension (non-service-connected disability), education benefits.
  2. Contact and assist survivors of a deceased veteran in obtaining death benefits such as burial in a national cemetery, burial allowances, government grave marker, government life insurance proceeds, and survivor benefits.
  3. Assist clients to the best of your ability in obtaining medical, financial, or other information necessary.
  4. Ensure that all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
  5. Enter all claims information on computer.
  6. Keep in contact with VA Officials and the VSO Power of Attorney concerning the status of individual claims.
• Assists members and dependents of the National Guard and Reserve Components in obtaining appropriate benefits and assistance.
  1. Provide information to deployed service members and their dependents about assistance programs during deployment and benefits upon return from active duty.
  2. Attend and speak at information meetings for service members and their families.
  3. Work with Family Assistance Centers in obtaining help for deployed service members families.
• Answers inquiries regarding the interpretation of laws and regulations regarding veteran’s benefits and entitlements.
• Makes field visits to incapacitated applicants to initiate or follow up claims or actions, when needed.
• Refers veterans and dependents to other federal, state and local agencies for services required.
• Attends meetings and training conferences to keep current on issues and requirements pertaining to veterans’ benefits. 
• Serves as the county’s liaison to the Veterans Service Organizations, such as the American Legion, throughout the county.
  1. Appears regularly before the local veterans organizations to brief members on current information on veterans benefits.
  2. Speaks to other community organizations at their request.
  3. Provides information to county media about veterans benefits.
• Supervises the keeping of office records, including file generation, privacy provisions, and retention policy and standards.
  1. Maintains confidential records in accordance with all the requirements of the data privacy laws and HIPAA.
  2. Maintains record retention according to written policy for the county.
• When possible: Set up an outreach booth at various local events, including the county fair, to show visibility in the community and increase public awareness.
• Reviews office expenditures to prepare and maintain accurate yearly budget with Board approval.
• Performs related duties as required.     

Relationships 

• This position must maintain proper working relationships with:
  1. Clients, many of whom have complex physical and mental health issues and come from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.
  2. Employees of the VA, to include the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and National Cemetery Administration, as well as the NDDVA.
  3. Other federal and state agencies working with veterans.
  4. Other County Veterans Service Officers and their staff throughout ND and western MN.
  5. Other agencies and departments to include recorder’s office, doctors/nurses, nursing home social workers, human services department, local VSO chapters and VSO posts, public health offices, funeral homes, and police and sheriff offices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Will develop extensive knowledge of:

• Federal rules, regulations, and statutes of the VA and NDDVA.
• Case law of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
• Etiology and relationship of medical conditions.
• Medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology.

Required Skills:

• Read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients or members of the community.
• Write speeches for events as needed, and articles for publication bi-weekly.
• Effectively present information to top management, public groups, or other groups.
• Clearly define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Problem Solving Skills:

• An employee in this position is responsible for determining the best course of action for each veteran or dependent.
• Since each claim is unique, individual judgment and strategy is necessary.
• Must be able to inquire into, troubleshoot, and expedite claims when necessary.
• Must be able to problem solve complex cases arbitrarily utilizing comprehensive knowledge of all pertinent rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Must review each action or decision thoroughly to ensure that it was done correctly.

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply federal laws and regulations.
• Understand and interpret medical records and statements.
• Prepare written statements on behalf of claimants.
• Assist in preparation of oral presentations on behalf of claimants.
• Express technical/legal information in clear oral or written manner.
• Counsel and advise distraught claimants, some whom are mentally ill and/or chemically dependent.
• Possess the organizational skills to handle multiple complex claims simultaneously.
• Get along in a professional manner with clients, co-workers, and other personnel.
• Use computer for word processing, e-mail communication, filing claims through the VetraSpec database program, and other appropriate software.
• Able to bend, stoop, stand, and lift and carry up to ten pounds.

Clarification Clause:

This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be a complete list of all skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reasonable outline of those principle job elements essential in maintaining veterans’ service related position. The job description is not a contract. The County reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time.

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Employee Signature                                                                          Date