Veterans Assistance Counselor ; St. Mary

About This Job

“Relentlessly advocate for Louisiana veterans and their families to ensure they receive superior customer service and support by connecting them to the benefits they have earned in service to our country, while meeting the economic, educational and employment needs of transitioning service members looking to make Louisiana their home.”

At the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA), our mission is to honor and serve Louisiana’s veterans and their families. We do this by connecting them to the benefits they’ve earned, providing dedicated support, and enhancing their quality of life through compassionate service across the state.

We’re looking for a Veterans Assistance Counselor (VAC) 1/2 to serve the veterans of their assigned parish. The incumbent will conduct personal interviews and counsel veterans and dependents regarding entitlement under state and federal laws, assist in completing forms, gather supporting documentation, and monitor claims to a justifiable conclusion.

• Accepting Direction:
  Open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Communicating Effectively:
  Convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Learning Actively:
  Pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
• Acting Decisively:
  Make timely, confident decisions using sound reason.
• Displaying Expertise:
  Demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject‑matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.
• Displaying Professionalism:
  Uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Managing Time:
  Prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.

• Honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces, served on an active, full‑time basis.
• Three years of experience in veterans service work, public benefits claims examining, social services or human resources; OR
• Six years of full‑time experience in any field; OR
• A bachelor’s degree.

Experience Substitution: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university is credited as one year of experience toward the six years of full‑time work experience in any field. Maximum substitution is 120 semester hours (four years).

• Review individual case files following the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rating action to determine compliance with current laws, rules, and regulations as outlined in U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decisions.
• Examine medical information including service medical records, physical examinations, hospital reports, and post‑operative reports, and determine degree of residual disability for comparison with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs assignment.
• Initiate formal appellant proceedings and/or advise the claimant to take specific action to obtain proper rating, as necessary.
• Participate in veterans outreach functions to promote public interest and awareness as requested by veterans organizations or LDVA administrative staff.

• Appointment Type: Probational or Job Appointment (temporary, not to exceed four years)
• Career Progression: Can be filled as Veterans Assistance Counselor 1 or 2.
• Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday.
• Compensation: Starting pay $17.56/hr (Special Entrance Rate); $2.00 work incentive pay (premium pay) upon completion of TRIPS Certification.

No Civil Service test score is required. Click the “Apply” link above and complete the electronic application. Applicants must include supporting documentation of eligibility (detailed experience/education). Resumes alone will not be accepted. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Torin Mc Clanahan
Human Resources Specialist
Torin.

Mc Clanahan4

• Insurance Coverage: More information at /
• Parental Leave: Up to six weeks paid parental leave. More info at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..aspx
• Holidays and Leave: State employees receive the following paid holidays:
  New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day; additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor.
• Retirement: Eligible for various retirement systems (LASERS, Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana, Louisiana School Employees Retirement System, etc.). For details see respective websites.