DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Work involves responsibility for assisting in the coordination and administration of services provided by the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency. The program is designed to provide information and guidance on all veterans’ rights and benefits, such as but not limited to health, medical, rehabilitation services, training and education opportunities, employment and reemployment rights, death benefits, etc. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws applying to veterans’ rights and benefits, as well as familiarity with veterans’ readjustment problems and disorders, are required. General supervision is provided by the Director and Deputy Director of the Veterans Service Agency. Supervision of others is not a requirement of this position.  Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only).

• Assists and advises veterans and their families on various topics related to their rights and benefits; 
• Provides guidance on educational training , military law, employment and reemployment, health, medical and rehabilitation services and facilities, and the provisions of laws relating to veterans rights and privileges; 
• Assists veterans in filing claims and appeals for disability, medical, pension, and burial/survivor benefits; 
• Provides assistance in securing information and evidence necessary to support claims and appeals for disability, medical, pension, and burial/survivor benefits;
• Maintains sensitive and confidential records by protecting private information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or compromise;
• Acts as liaison with County and outside agencies as required;
• Engages in outreach activities;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of federal, state, and local laws relating to veterans' affairs and sources of information on such matters; good knowledge of various services and benefits available to veterans; good knowledge of technology and ability to assist others in using technology; working knowledge of veterans medical conditions related to the PACT ACT; good listening skills; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to work effectively with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds; ability to secure confidence and cooperation of veterans and others; good judgment; empathy; resourcefulness; tact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and two (2) years of paid or volunteer experience which involved employment, guidance or psychological counseling, employment interviewing, personnel administration, teaching, social work, labor relations, or as a Veterans Service Officer for a veterans’ organization.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  

1. The Veteran Service Officer is required to be a person who served on active duty in the uniformed services of the United States, or in the army national guard, air national guard, or service as a commissioned officer in the public health service, commissioned officer of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration or environmental sciences services administration, cadet at a United States armed forces service academy, and who has been released from such service under other than dishonorable conditions pursuant to New York State Veteran’ Services Law Section 1.
2. Within six (6) months of appointment incumbent must take all steps necessary to be accredited as a Veterans Service Organization representative in accordance with New York State Veteran’ Services Law Section 14.
3. Within six (6) months of appointment incumbent must also take all necessary steps to acquire VA Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) access.
4. Possession of a valid unrestricted appropriate level driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. 

10/25;

Pending Jurisdictional Classification