Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Assistant Veterans Service Officer – Morgan County Veterans Service Office

Incumbent serves as Assistant Veterans Service Officer for the Morgan County Veterans Service Office, assisting the Veterans Service Officer in providing assistance and information for eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors for pension, compensation, medical benefits, and other benefits according to IC 10-5-1-11.

• Assists veteran and/or dependents in filing for benefits, including gathering information for claims, researching cases to determine applicable laws, eligibility and claim status, and preparing forms as needed.
• Assesses medical records verifying/checking if illness or injury incurred in service to assist in establishing eligibility for VA benefits.
• Assimilates and disseminates current VA information, including maintaining up-to-date resource materials.
• Assists with preparing reports, forms, and statistics to Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and Morgan County Commissioners.
• Appears at assisted living facilities, hospitals or home of veteran to file paperwork.
• Processes widow claims based on death of a veteran, working with funeral homes in obtaining discharge papers for military funeral, requesting VA grave marker and obtaining County Veterans Burial Allowance.
• Assist local Veterans organizations.
• Attends accreditation training, including veterans’ meetings, seminars and workshops.
• Provides technical assistance to local government agencies.
• Maintains files for filing system, including the maintaining of the claims management system by logging communications regarding veteran claims and assistance provided.
• Answers phones and greets office visitors, determining the nature of the call, providing information, assistance, and direction, and receiving and answering mailings.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED, with one (1) to two (2) years previous relevant experience, or any combination of education, training and experience.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be a citizen of the state of Indiana and be honorably discharged from the United States Military Service with at least six (6) month service and must be accredited by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend and correctly use a variety of informational documents, including various VA forms, service records, benefits letters/updates, medical records and other reports and records.
• Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend a variety of reference books and manuals, such as Veterans Benefits Handbook, Service Officer Guidebook, IDVA manuals/guides, Indiana Code, and Veterans Service Handbook.
• Working knowledge of standard bookkeeping practices and principles, and ability to perform arithmetic calculations to prepare purchase orders, payroll claims, budget and salary requests, and payroll documents.
• Working knowledge of standard English spelling, grammar, and punctuation and ability to prepare correspondence and other documents.
• Knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to maintain accurate and complete department files/records.
• Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, such as computer, calculator, copier, fax machine, and telephone and ability to use and operate department claims software and social media sites.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, veterans and their spouses, dependents and/or survivors, various hospitals/clinics, community service agencies, funeral homes, vendors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug‑free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions, and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to count and make simple arithmetic additions/subtractions.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision, with others in a team environment and on several tasks at the same time.
• Ability to apply knowledge of people and/or locations, and plan and layout assigned work projects.
• Ability to work extended hours, and weekends, occasionally work evenings, and occasionally travel out of town for conferences, sometimes overnight.

Incumbent performs duties that are complex in nature and require careful consideration of new and/or unusual circumstances, exercising judgment in assessing individual needs, filing claims for benefits, and referring services for veterans, their spouses, dependents and survivors. Decisions are frequently made with little or no guidance from…