Advises, assists and provides technical assistance to veterans or their dependents in presenting and filing service-connected pension or disability insurance claims for benefits under Title 38 USC and 38 CFR, as well as state and local benefits. Works with veterans and their families to obtain financial assistance according to policies of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission. Initiates payments for approved financial assistance applications. Refers clients to other agencies appropriate to needs of veteran. Performs and attends outreach activities as assigned with varied work hours. Performs various administrative and other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and management team.

Employees are expected to perform essential duties to performance standards. As needed, reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified employees with disabilities that are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in so far as the accommodation does not create an undue hardship on the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission.

Interviews, counsels, advises and assists Veterans and dependents in obtaining Veterans Administration (VA), state, and local benefits. Reviews veterans’ service and medical service treatment histories. Provides information and advises clients regarding benefits to which they may be entitled and eligibility requirements. Prepares claims for VA disability benefits. Identifies and assists veterans in assembling pertinent evidence and supporting documentation, reviews medical reports and statements, and prepares applicable forms. Files claims on behalf of veterans and their dependents. Types and prepares relevant forms and writes briefs to explain to the VA what type of service connection for which the claim is filed. Tracks status and progress of claims as it proceeds through the approval process. Reviews VA findings and decisions for potential appeal and files appeals when applicable. Determines if findings were accurate and in accordance with applicable laws and policies. If warranted, explains appeal options and requirements. Maintains local and computer files on all clients who’ve been assisted in filing claims with the VA. Updates client files and sends files to the Department of Veteran Affairs as required. Makes referrals to community social service agencies as appropriate to meet client needs. Conducts and/or participates in outreach events, meetings, and training. Develops and maintains professional relationships to encourage outreach to inform the community, veterans and dependents. Maintains relationships with POA representatives such as DAV, VFW, and others. Maintains telephone and e-mail contact with Veterans Administration regarding benefits and other matters. Schedules appointments with clients. Maintains continuing education requirements to maintain eligibility to perform County and/or National Veteran Service Officer responsibilities through the Ohio Department of Veteran Service Officers, AMVETS, VFW, DAV, American Legion, and other organizations. Completes all necessary veteran financial application information, obtains supporting documentation and conducts thorough investigations of information provided to determine eligibility for financial assistance and demonstrated need. Verifies housing costs and utility costs, reviews income and expense information, bank activity and client file history. Makes recommendations based on Commission policy regarding approval or denial of the financial request. Processes financial applications after approval or denial by management in accordance with policies of the Montgomery County Auditor.Maintains confidentiality of all client information. Performs job responsibilities in accordance with the Commission’s policy, procedures and contracts as applicable, and in compliance with Federal, State and local laws and regulations.Maintains the highest level of integrity and professionalism in all aspects of job performance.Keeps abreast of current trends and practices in the field. Attends and participates in required trainings on topics relevant to the job.Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as required.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES Answers telephones, greets clients, answers routine inquiries, schedules client appointments, distributes financial assistance packets, and performs other related responsibilities. Assists in maintaining general office areas and office supplies. Performs other duties as assigned.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION None.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED Computer, telephone, copier, fax, and other general office equipment. Personal vehicle and government vehicle

CONTACTS WITH OTHERS Clients and family members, social agency representatives, vendors, coworkers, union representatives, commission members, medical providers, general public and other internal and external job contacts.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND DATA Medical records, Social Security numbers, private addresses and phone numbers, confidential information made available through VA software pertaining to both client and non-client veterans, award letters, DD-214s, income records, rating decision letters, financial information, and other confidential or sensitive information.

RECORDS Client claim files; Approved and Denied Ratings, financial assistance information and files.

WORKING CONDITIONS Standard office working conditions. Employee will retain individual workspace and office. When working in the field, the employee is exposed to those field conditions which may include adverse weather. Work From Home may be justified on a situational basis

USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS The following demands are typically used and exhibited by employees when performing this job’s essential duties and responsibilities. They are not and should not be construed to be qualification standards. Rather, they are illustrated to help the Commission, and an otherwise qualified employee or job applicant with an ADA disability, identify essential job duties that need to be reasonably accommodated, and the type of appropriate reasonable accommodation which may be available which does not create an undue hardship on the Montgomery County Veteran Service Office.

The employee frequently converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. The employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye-hand coordination when performing general typing, word processing, data entry, paperwork, and other similar tasks. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and frequently walks. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when using a computer screen, and performing other tasks. The employee occasionally sits in a vehicle for periods of time while driving to and from various locations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILIITIES

Knowledge of: Veterans Administration policies and claim filing procedures; Benefits and entitlements available to veterans; benefit eligibility standards and requirements; general office practices and procedures; community social service resources, customer service; basic medical terminology. Knowledge of Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission Policies and Procedures, financial assistance requirements and policies.

Ability to: read, interpret, and apply laws, regulations and policies as they pertain to VA benefits; work independently; determine client needs to refer them to the appropriate community resources; develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, community resources and other job contacts; relate and empathize with clients regarding their situation and need for assistance; work effectively with, and respect persons of various cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds; work effectively and sensitively with persons who may have complex physical and mental health issues and disabilities; understand and interpret medical records and statements; communicate effectively in both oral and written form; follow instructions and processes; collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; resolve client complaints within scope of responsibility and authority; speak effectively before groups as representative of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission; maintain accurate and complete client files; work collaboratively, effectively and respectfully with coworkers.

Skill in: application of job-related software scheduling software, VetPro, Veteran Financial System, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; listening; interviewing; typing; word processing.

Applicable laws or regulations require that employees assigned to some jobs attain a specific level of education, experience, or training, and license or certification. For other jobs, a combination of various levels and types of education, experience, training, and license or certification may qualify a person to perform essential duties of this position. Qualifications specified for this position are:

Education, Experience and Training Associates Degree in related field. Honorably discharged from the service of the United States Armed Forces. 3 to 5 years working experience in a customer service-related service industry. Employees are provided the opportunity to participate in training and education programs. Some training programs may be mandatory, and others are optional. These opportunities may include on-the-job training, self-study, seminar, in house programs and in service programs.

Licenses or Certifications Obtain Ohio County Veterans Service Officer and/or National Veterans Service Officer accreditation within 12 months of appointment into position and maintain certification thereafter. Veteran Service Officer Accreditation with various service organizations which include: Ohio Department of Veteran Service (ODVS), National Accreditation of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), VFW, DAV, AMVETS. State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License is required to operate the government vehicle.

Additional Qualifications Upon conditional hire into this position, and as a condition of continued employment, each employee is required to submit to and pass a drug test, criminal background check, and be insurable under the Commission’s driving insurance provider guidelines. Ability to document personal identity and employment eligibility within three days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act (I-9) requirements.

Employees are provided the opportunity to participate in training and education programs. Some training programs may be mandatory and others are optional. These opportunities may include on-the-job training, self-study, seminar, in house programs and in service programs.

All Montgomery County employees become members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and have access to deferred compensation programs.

Benefits may vary for full-time, part-time, intermittent, and seasonal employees and/or due to union affiliation. The list below demonstrates the benefits that may be available to employees according to employment status and is subject to change.

Full-Time Employees (40 hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid vacation, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.

Part-Time Employees (Benefits Eligible) (scheduled 21+ hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.

Part-time Employees (Non-Benefits Eligible) (20 hours or less per week): Benefits include Long Term Sick Leave Accrual, Paid Personal Leave, and holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays.

Seasonal Employees: Benefits include Sick Leave accrued at 4.6 hours for every eighty 80 hours in active
pay status. Seasonal employees scheduled to work 40 hours during their period of employment will accrue vacation in the same manner as regular full-time employees and can use their vacation after completion of twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods in active pay status. Part-time Seasonal employees (scheduled to work less than 40 hours) do not accrue vacation.

Intermittent and Temporary Employees: Long-Term Sick Leave accrual is based on hours worked.

Benefit information can be found on the Montgomery County Benefits website at: www.mcbenefits.org.