Successful completion of a criminal records check and a drug screening test.
Primary Function
Under the direction of the Veterans Service Officer or designee, the incumbent assists veterans and their dependents/families in accessing federal, state, and county veterans benefits and assistance. Make referrals to community resources when applicable. Complete all benefits/assistance applications and referrals in strict adherence to established government directives, legal regulations, guidelines and department procedures.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Conduct interviews in person and by telephone with veterans and/or their families and spouses to obtain financial and medical information needed to determine eligibility and assess needs for federal, state and county veteran’s benefits or assistance.
Provide information and access to applicants for federal, state and county programs for veterans benefits including but not limited to the following: economic aid, health care, education, home loans, pensions, compensation, etc.
Perform as a case manager coordinating and developing claims as needed, through the Veterans Administration (VA) Regional Office, State Service Officers, Service Organizations and community resources.
Provide all information and services listed to veterans and dependents at their place of residence due to homebound, nursing home or hospitalized status.
Counsel and assist in the resolution plan for monetary assistance and crisis situations.
Research, verify and follow up on information provided by applicants (e.g. employment, income, assets, marital/dependent status, etc.)
Assist veterans and/or their families and spouses with applications, forms and documents to ensure accurate completion.
Assist applicants in obtaining and/or preparing supporting documents for claims and applications to various programs (e.g. DD214, birth certificate, marriage certificate, military medical records, personnel files, etc.).
Accept and process all necessary applications, forms and documents in a timely manner and forward to appropriate agencies or authorities.
Prepare statements to assist veterans with the VA claims and appeals process.
Provide information and referral to community resources for abuse, addiction, basic needs, counseling and mental health, education and employment, health services, disabled services and senior services.
Create, update and confidentially manage veteran file information in hard copy and computer database formats.
Assess, manage and follow through on a case by case basis to clarify the goals of the veteran, dependent or family. Coordinate and/or make referrals to appropriate community organizations and resources providing holistic case management approach.
Develop, compile, maintain and file all required reports, summaries, recommendations and statistics as directed and/or required.
Actively pursue continuing education to maintain a working knowledge of, and remain alert to, changes in federal, state and county regulations and statutes pertaining to veterans benefits through attending workshops, meetings, in-service programs, conferences, newsletters and other publications.
Maintain current working knowledge of and provide information and/or referral to companion programs to veteran’s benefits such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Provide/present information regarding Veterans’ Services to veterans and community organizations to increase awareness of benefit changes and issues.
Maintain affiliation and community contact with local service organizations such as American Veterans (AmVets), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, American Ex Prisoners of War (AmExPOWs), etc.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Two years* of college level education in Business Administration, Public Administration, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or a related field.
One year of work experience or related training beyond high school involving interviewing, consulting, public contact or human services.
Must have served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than active duty for training, and have been discharged or otherwise separated with a
characterization of honorable from the service. (State Statute #80?410)
Must be a current resident of the State of Nebraska and must have been a resident continuously in Nebraska for previous five years. (State Statute 80-410).
Must possess a valid driver’s license and own mode of transportation.
Experience in the use of personal computers including a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Must be bondable.
Commissioned as a Notary Public or eligible to become commissioned as a Notary Public in the State of Nebraska.
*Experience beyond the one year requirement may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in order to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and responsibilities.
Work is generally performed indoors in an office setting during standard day-shift hours. Noise level is usually moderate. Work requires interaction with veterans and the general public and may be stressful when dealing with irate citizens, time constraints, and the nature of the population served.
Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of sitting and standing; frequent walking, reaching and carrying; and occasional climbing stairs, balancing, bending and kneeling. An incumbent must have the ability to transport themselves to and from various locations throughout the Department and metropolitan area. An incumbent must have the ability to frequently lift and/or carry files and other materials weighing up to 10 pounds and to occasionally lift and carry equipment and other materials weighing up to 25 pounds. An incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate vehicles, computers and other equipment used to perform the essential functions of this job.
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges.
EmoticonEmoticon