Veterans Assistance Specialist; LANG

Job Title

Veterans Assistance Specialist

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.

The Veterans Assistance Specialist will serve as technical coordinator for LANG disability claims. The Veterans Assistance Specialist will report directly to the Administrative Program Manager 2 for LANG disability program and have functional supervision by the Deputy Assistant Secretary 2.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

• Accepting Direction:
  The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Communicating Effectively:
  The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Displaying Expertise:
  The ability to demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject-matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.
• Displaying Professionalism:
  The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Driving Results:
  The ability to set and pursue goals, maintain focus amid competing demands, and deliver results.
• Focusing on Customers:
  The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.
• Following Policies and Procedures:
  The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Leveraging Technology:
  The ability to use digital tools, systems, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Thinking Critically:
  The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

This job requires the incumbent to be an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces who served on an active, full-time basis and meet one of the following qualification requirements:
Five 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 plus two years of experience in veterans service work, public benefits claims examining, social services or human resources; OR A bachelor's degree plus two years of experience in veterans service work, public benefits claims examining, social services or human resources;

OR A master's degree plus one year of experience in veterans service work, public benefits claims examining, social services or human resources. EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• 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 but not limited to, service medical records, physical examinations, hospital reports and post-operative reports, and determines degree of residual disability for comparison with U.S. Department of Veterans…