Veterans' Services Officer - Veterans' Services - PAT III

Veterans' Service Officer

Incumbent serves as Veterans' Service Officer for Veterans' Services, responsible for providing assistance and information to eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors.

Duties:

• Assists veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors with filing applications/claims for benefits, including interviewing, evaluating needs, providing information, literature and counseling, and completing application forms. Forwards completed application forms to Veterans' Administration (VA) or other appropriate agencies.
• Assists mortuaries and cemeteries in submitting documentation to appropriate agencies for veteran burial and marker benefits. Supplies American flags and coordinates placement/removal at veteran graves throughout county.
• Assists in obtaining supporting evidence for benefit applications as needed, such as birth and/or death certificates, divorce records and military service records. Assists in filing appeals of unfavorable decisions.
• Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, hiring, planning/making work assignments, providing training and corrective instruction, evaluating performance, and maintaining discipline.
• Ensures maintenance of confidential records for each client. Maintains log of assistance provided to veterans, and prepares and submits activity summaries and statistical reports to Indiana Department of Veterans' Services (IDVA), service organizations, and/or County officials as required or requested.
• Responds to telephone inquiries, including researching, copying and mailing information and records, and making referrals to other community resources as needed. Makes public speaking presentations to various groups as requested, and plans/coordinates community activities, such as parades, ceremonies, and annual veterans' expo.
• Provides services in various locations to accommodate special needs of clients, including hospitals, detention facilities, nursing homes and residences.
• Maintains frequent communication with IDVA and VA personnel, including inquiring about delayed benefits, resolving conflicts, and determining appropriate procedures and actions.
• Recruits drivers and coordinates transportation of veterans to VA hospitals, and schedules maintenance/repair of van as needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of regulations governing veteran benefits, maintains inventory of current reference materials, and distributes brochures, forms, applications and related materials to local community organizations and individuals. Prepares/submits press releases regarding changes in benefits, as needed.
• Pursues and promotes state and federal legislation benefiting veterans, including occasionally making speaking presentations to legislators.
• Prepares and submits annual department budget to County Council, and administers budget upon approval, including authorizing payroll and other costs.
• Attends training seminars and annual recertification school as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

I.

Job Requirements:

• Must qualify for service under IN Code § 10-17-1-9 (2025).
• Must meet all other applicable hiring and retention requirements of Indiana State code, including, but not limited to, ability to satisfactorily complete oral and written examinations for certification/recertification.
• Associate Degree in social work, human services, sociology or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal and state veterans' benefits, eligibility requirements and application procedures.
• Ability to supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, hiring, planning/making work assignments, providing training and corrective instruction, evaluating performance, and maintaining discipline.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations, prepare and administer department budget, and properly operate standard office equipment, such as copier, calculator, typewriter, computer, and telephone.
• Ability to maintain files/records, prepare detailed activity reports, and maintain confidentiality of department records and…