Southern Rural Outreach Program Specialist​/VSO

Are you a veteran looking for a meaningful opportunity to continue your service?

The Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (DVMA) is seeking a dedicated, mission-driven Veterans Service Officer (VSO). In this role, you will act as a primary advocate, helping local veterans, military members, and their families navigate and secure the benefits they have earned.

As a Veterans Service Officer, you will counsel, advise, and assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining county, state, and federal benefits. You will serve as both an advocate and a case manager, balancing complex caseloads with proactive community outreach.

Our ideal candidate is a veteran who understands the unique experiences of military life and can build strong partnerships to expand our outreach network across Beaver, Grand, Iron, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, and Wayne counties.

• Salary: $24.50
• Status:
  Full-time
• Schedule Code: B - Competitive Career Service (12 month probationary period)
• Work Schedule & Travel:
  Requires regular travel across the service area and occasional holiday and weekend work for events.
• Background Check:
  Employment is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining a security clearance, if needed.
• Location:
  
  Cedar City UT (Counties: Beaver, Grand, Iron, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, and Wayne counties)
• Final date to receive applications: 10/19/2026

• Client Advocacy & Case Management
  • Conduct Eligibility Assessments:
    Interview veterans and beneficiaries to evaluate their eligibility for various state and federal benefit programs under the Veterans Benefits Acts. Provide referrals when appropriate.
  • Manage Claims Processes:
    Prepare, submit, and track complex compensation and pension claims, ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete.
  • Set Clear Expectations:
    Educate claimants on their role in the application process, the scope of your support, and the legal framework governing VA decisions.
  • Maintain Confidentiality:
    Handle sensitive personal information with care, strictly safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Program Navigation & Education
  • Navigate Digital Platforms:
    Efficiently utilize VA.gov, Veterans.utah.gov, and related state and federal systems to process information.
  • Educate on State Benefits:
    Guide clients through state-specific veteran benefits, including tax abatements, Veteran Resource Centers, in-state tuition, legal assistance, state park passes, Veteran cemetery, State Veterans' Homes, First Times Homebuyer Program, Military Retirement Tax, while being familiar with partner programs like those offered by the Department of Workforce Services (DWS), etc.
  • Educate on Federal VA Benefits:
    Provide counseling on disability compensation, pensions, healthcare, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), burial benefits, housing assistance, etc.
  • Explain Complex Eligibility Criteria:
    Effectively communicate and clarify the statutory eligibility requirements established by the VA for granting Service-Connected Disability (SCD), Burial Benefits, and Survivor Pension/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
• Outreach & Communication
  • Community Representation:
    Attend meetings and serve on committees alongside VA staff and local community partners to promote DVMA programs.
  • Inquiry Resolution:
    Respond to inquiries from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and congressional offices in a clear, timely, and professional manner.
  • Position requires occasional weekend work.

• Certification:
  Ability to become a VA-certified Veterans Service Officer (VSO) within six (6) months of hire.
• Training:
  Ability to successfully complete all mandatory state and federal…