Veteran Services Officer

Primary Purpose

The Veteran Services Officer performs a variety of administrative work to assist veterans and their families in the County in obtaining benefits offered by the federal and state Department of Veterans Affairs.

Essential Functions

• Assists veterans and their dependents in applying to the Department of Veterans Affairs for pension, compensations, burial allowance, medical services, education and housing loans, death benefits, and other benefits.
• Assists veterans and their dependents in completing relevant applications and assuring that necessary records, medical reports, and materials are collected and submitted to substantiate the claim.
• Assists veterans and their families with a wide variety of paperwork processing and expediting; recommends acceptable documentation and sources to obtain documentation for applications and claims.
• Interprets, applies, explains, and research various state and federal regulations pertaining to veterans' benefits.
• Clarifies problems and concerns with claim processing by contacting national, state, regional, and district veteran’s representative, discussing the options and resolving issues.
• Establishes and maintains a variety of records, reports, and applicant files.
• Advises potential applicants with the online application process for the State Scholarship program and other educational benefits.
• Provides contacts of other resources and agencies providing assistance needed by veterans and dependents.

Minimum Education and Experience

Graduation from high school and experience with social services or other program administration and/or coordination work; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to gain accreditation as a Veteran Services Officer with the North Carolina Division of Veterans within 1 year of employment. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of federal procedures, and regulations pertaining to the various veterans' service programs and benefits.
• General knowledge of resources available for and assistance to veterans and their dependents.
• General knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply laws, regulations, procedures, and benefits to specific veterans' problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Ability to plan and organize work to meet deadlines and governmental requirements.
• Ability to organize and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, veterans, their dependents, a variety of social service agencies, employees, and the general public.

Additional Information

• Attends meetings and conferences to keep current on veteran’s issues and requirements.
• Performs related duties as required.
• May be required to serve during times of disaster.