Veterans Benefits Supervisor

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Sociology, Psychology, Business Administration or closely related field.
• Have had at least four (4) years of full-time experience as a Veterans' Benefits Counselor.
• Hold accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veterans Service Organization Representative

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• It is desirable that applicants be veterans of the United States Armed Forces and have a discharge under honorable conditions from their last period of service.
• It is desirable that applicants have had one (1) year of full-time paid experience involving supervising or leading a team.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local agency laws, rules and regulations regarding the benefits and services available for veterans.
• Considerable knowledge of local veterans' groups, community agencies, and resources that have programs of assistance available to veterans.
• Considerable ability to write appeals of negative determinations made by government agencies.
• Considerable ability to cope with difficult and/or emergency situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with departmental policies and objectives.
• Considerable ability to display tact, emotional stability and patience while dealing with distressed individuals.
• Considerable ability to apply principles of personnel administration to the selection, placement and supervision of employees and the ability to develop successful in-service training programs.
• Considerable ability to supervise personnel.
• Considerable ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Reasonable ability to understand medical statements.
• Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.
• Ability to exercise judgement and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending  solutions.
• Ability to compile statistics, decipher pertinent information and present oral and written financial, operational and other types of departmental reports to officials and other interested groups or individuals.
• Ability to obtain Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in order to remotely access VA computer systems and software.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• Functions as a supervisor over a group of Veterans' Counselors, Coordinators, Client Transporter and clerical employees. 
• Instructs, assigns, schedules, checks and appraises performance. 
• Participates in decisions to hire, discipline, discharge and award pay increases and/or promotions. 
• Trains new counselors and provides ongoing training for all staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assigns and monitors the work of lower level counselors in a Veterans' Services office to ensure that veterans and/or their families are assisted in accordance with divisional policies and procedures.
• Acts as an agent for the Soldiers' Relief Commission and authorizes assistance to veterans and/or their dependents in need.
• Assigns and monitors the work of the Client Transporter to ensure proper operation of the Transportation Program.
• Adjudicates applications for County Burial and Marker Foundations.  Prepares applications for posting and submits for payment.
• Prepares reports for and assists the Division Manager in presentations to County Executive and Board of  Commissioners.
• Represents the Veterans' Services Division at service organizations meetings, private groups and/or citizens interested in veterans and their needs.

• Researches federal, state and local laws and regulations as to their effect on benefits veterans are entitled to receive.
• Advises veterans and their families on the services and benefits available to them through the Veterans' Services Division and/or refers them to the proper outside agencies when applicable.
• Assists veterans in filing applications for pensions, compensation, education, dental and medical care, burial allowances, insurance benefits and other available veterans' benefits.
• Researches, and writes appeals of determinations made by federal, state and local agencies when they adversely effect a client.
• Corresponds with appropriate agencies in order to secure affidavits, certificates and other required papers to properly submit necessary documentation for clients to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs and other agencies.
• Uses various software programs to create form letters and documents for divisional use.
• Transports veterans to V.A. medical centers in the absence of other drivers.
• Acts as an advocate on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
• Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is carried out in a typical office environment.
• May be required to travel to other locations during the course of work.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this classification.  Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included.  Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.