7297-Veterans Services Officer I (Health and Human Services Veterans Services) Salary $29,203.20 - $38,022.40 Annually Location Medford, OR Job Type Full Time Department Health and Human Services Job Number 7297 Closing 1/11/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Job Description Jackson County Employment Opportunity SPECIAL NOTE: As you may have noticed on our website, Jackson County is simultaneously recruiting for two similar positions at the same time within the Health and Human Services Veterans Services Department. The titles of these recruitments are "Veterans Services Officer I" and "Veterans Services Officer II". Please note we will only be filling one of the above positions with the best candidate from the combined pool of qualified applicants. Please review the minimum requirements for each position and apply only for the position for which you are qualified and meet the minimum requirements. Your application will not be reviewed if you do not meet the minimum requirements for the position applied for. Thank you in advance for your interest in this opportunity we look forward to receiving your application! Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees! Pre-Employment Requirements and/or Preferences Prior experience assisting veterans preferred, as would those already accredited with the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs or other organizations to do veterans claims work. The successful applicant will be brought into the VSO I position if they have not had training for or already been accredited, and will move to the VSO II position once fully accredited. Applicants already accredited for veterans claims work may be brought into the VSO II position at management discretion. Transcripts must be submitted in order to meet the educational requirements of this posting. Must pass a criminal background check prior to hire. Must submit an acceptable DMV certified court print prior to hire. Please click on the following link to review . Must pass a pre-employment drug screen prior to hire. It is a violation of the Jackson County's Drug-Free Workplace policy to unlawfully manufacture, use, be under the influence of (per policy definition), possess, dispense, distribute, sell, trade, solicit, and/or offer for sale drugs, other substances, or chemicals identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule 1 (Code of Federal Regulations) including, but not limited to, synthetic or natural medical or recreational marijuana. The illegal or unauthorized use of prescription drugs is also prohibited. Please click on the following link to review . Job Duties and Requirements I. Position Summary Under general supervision, to interview, counsel and assist veterans and their dependents for the purpose of determining eligibility for benefits under federal or state laws or regulations; to provide technical assistance and advocacy for clients through the formal benefit claims and appeal processes; serve as a liaison between veterans and state and federal agencies and other resources. II. Distinguishing Features The Veterans Services Officer I is the entry level in the series. This is a training level classification in which employees perform a significant portion of the work assigned to the next higher level, but without the independence or full responsibility expected at the journey level. Tasks are limited in scope and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher level employees. Once accreditation is attained and the employee is performing their duties to an acceptable level of proficiency, the employee may be reclassified to the Veterans Services Officer II position at the manager's and Human Resources' discretion. III. Examples of Essential Position Duties Interviews and counsels veterans and their dependents regarding available benefits under State and Federal programs; interprets and explains relevant legislation. Initiates claims process; assists veterans with completion of a wide variety of forms, both initial and subsequent. Provides technical assistance and advocates for clients through the benefit application process; monitors the status of the applications; keeps clients informed of the status of the claim as appropriate. Serves as a liaison between veterans and their dependents and County, State and Federal agencies as well as local veteran's organizations and the community; identifies potential issues and refers clients to appropriate providers. Researches, analyzes and investigates denied benefit claims; collects and develops evidence, and prepares and submits documentation in support of the formal appeals process; Represents the department at veterans' related public events within the community. Adheres to County and departmental policies and procedures as well as safe work practices, policies and procedures. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other staff, public officials, the general public and representatives of other agencies. Attends and participates in required trainings. Has regular and reliable attendance. Overtime may be required. Performs other related duties as assigned. IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Position requires thorough knowledge of methods of general office practices and procedures; considerable knowledge of recordkeeping and reporting; some knowledge of current federal, state and local legislation and regulations relating to benefits for veteran and their families is preferable. Ability to interpret current federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to benefits for veterans and their dependents; understand legal processes necessary to substantiate claims under oversight; effectively screen and gather required documentation in a professional and customer service-oriented manner; maintain accurate and concise records; type a variety of complex materials rapidly and accurately; operate office equipment and machines with accuracy and skill; alphabetize and arrange in numerical order; implement new procedures and processes; follow departmental procedures, rules and regulations; prioritize and organize work; prepare data and complex reports; display initiative and creativity in carrying out duties and assignments; comply with all statutes, policies and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. V. Minimum Requirements (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following requirements, physical demands and/or working conditions) Education and Experience A high school diploma AND three years experience in an office setting involving public contact; OR A Bachelor's degree in a related field AND one year of experience in an office setting involving public contact; OR Any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job. Licenses, Certificates and Other Requires possession of a valid Oregon driver's license and a good driving record. Accreditation as a Veteran Service Officer by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs within one year of employment. Physical Demands (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands and/or working conditions) Typically requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Requires exerting up to 20 pounds frequently, 50 occasionally, of force to move objects. Minimum physical effort is required. Requires driving. Working Environments Work is generally performed in an office environment and may include exposure to disruptive people and communicable diseases. VI. Additional Information This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management's decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification. Equal Opportunity Employer JACKSON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Upon request, special accommodations and/or assistance will be gladly provided for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory impairments. Because of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, persons hired by the county must be able to present acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States. For a copy of Jackson County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan, visit our web site at or call 541-774-6036. Jackson County Benefit Summary - SEIU Jackson County provides an excellent, generous and comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their dependents, as applicable. This overview provides highlights of the comprehensive benefits package Jackson County SEIU employees receive. If any statement conflicts with the applicable plan documents, Codified Ordinance, Jackson County policies, and/or collective bargaining agreement, the applicable documents will govern. Insurance Health Insurance As of August 1, 2018, regular full-time employees and their eligible dependents receive medical insurance (Option Advantage A (Full-Time) Plan), including prescription and chiropractic, dental, and vision coverage at a cost to the employee of $19.99 per paycheck ($43.32 per month) toward the monthly composite premium. Regular full-time employees may not waive coverage. Regular part-time employees may enroll in the full plan (Option Advantage A (Full-Time) Plan), with a prorated composite premium depending on their full-time equivalent (FTE), or may elect to waive benefits, or may elect the part-time plan (Option Advantage A (Full-Time) Plan, no dental or vision). Coverage begins on the first of the month following an employee's date of hire. Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Fully funded for regular full-time employees (prorated for regular part-time employees), the benefit is equal to two times the employee's annual salary, up to a maximum of $100,000. Insurance in excess of $50,000 is a taxable benefit. Long-Term Disability Fully funded for regular full-time employees (prorated for regular part-time employees), employees are eligible the first of the month after six months of continuous service. The benefits are payable after a waiting period of 90 days at a rate of 66 2/3 percent of base salary, up to a maximum monthly benefit of $5,000. Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment Regular employees may choose to participate in additional AD&D coverage through payroll deduction, and have the choice of plan and coverage amounts. Leaves Vacation Regular full-time employees earn vacation leave at a rate of 15 to 27 days annually depending upon years of County service. Regular part-time employees earn vacation leave on a prorated basis. Employees can carry forward up to two times the annual vacation accrual (prorated for part-time employees). Vacation leave cannot be used during the first six full months of regular employment. Twice per fiscal year, employees may request to be paid for vacation accruals, provided specific requirements are met. Years of Service Annual Vacation Accrual 1 to 5 years15 days (4.62 hours/pay period) Over 5 through 10 years18 days (5.54 hours/pay period) Over 10 through 15 years21 days (6.47 hours/pay period) Over 15 through 20 years24 days (7.39 hours/pay period) Over 20 years27 days (8.31 hours/pay period) Sick Leave Regular full-time employees earn sick leave at the rate of 3.70 hours per pay period (12 days annually), which starts to accrue during the first pay period and may accrue to a total of 1,338 hours. Regular part-time employees accrue sick leave on a prorated basis. Accrued sick leave may be used as soon as it is accrued. Holidays Regular full-time employees receive nine paid holidays annually (prorated for regular part-time employees), New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. For non-24/7 operations, holidays that fall on a Saturday will be observed on the previous Friday and holidays that fall on a Sunday will be observed on the following Monday. Personal Leave Each fiscal year on July 1, full-time regular employees receive one personal leave day (eight hours; prorated for regular part-time employees based on the position's FTE as of July 1). Employees must be employed on July 1 to be eligible to receive the personal leave day. Personal leave is used in one hour increments. If it is not used, it does not roll over to the following year. Retirement Oregon Public Employees' Retirement System Jackson County participates in the State of Oregon Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). PERS has Tier One, Tier Two, and the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) pension programs, as well as the Individual Account Program (IAP). Tier One covers members hired before January 1, 1996; Tier Two covers members hired between January 1, 1996 and August 28, 2003; and OPSRP covers members hired on or after August 29, 2003. IAP contains all member contributions (6% of covered salary, currently County-paid) made on or after January 1, 2004. The legislature created the IAP in 2003 to provide an individual account-based retirement benefit for new workers hired on or after August 29, 2003, and for Tier One/Tier Two members active on or after January 1, 2004. The IAP benefit is in addition to the member's other retirement program benefit (i.e., Tier One, Tier Two, or OPSRP). Employees are automatically vested in their IAP account when their account is established. OPSRP is designed to provide approximately 45 percent of an employee's final average salary at retirement (for a general service member with a 30-year career or a police and firefighter member with a 25-year career). OPSRP General Service : Unless employees are in a police or firefighter position, they are considered a general service member. In addition to other retirement programs or any social security benefit, when employees retire, if vested, PERS will calculate monthly benefit using the following formula: 1.5 percent x years of retirement credit x final average salary. Normal retirement age for general service members is age 65, or age 58 with 30 years of retirement credit. General Service Benefit Calculation Example (employees can estimate benefits using any number of years and any final average salary): Final average salary: $45,000 Retirement credit: 30 years as an OPSRP member 30 (years) x 1.5 percent = 45 percent 45 percent x $3,750 (final average monthly salary) = $1,687.50 Single Life Option monthly benefit = $1,687.50 ($20,250 annual benefit) Voluntary Deferred Compensation Program Jackson County offers regular employees the option to enroll in IRS Section 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans. The employee defers compensation through voluntary payroll deductions into this supplemental retirement plan. The 457 plan is a separate retirement plan from PERS. Other Benefits Voluntary Direct Deposit An employee may choose to have their payroll check automatically deposited into their bank account. Employees can choose up to four accounts to receive direct deposit funds. Most banks allow participation of this program. Voluntary Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Section 125 Plan The FSA is a tax-free regular employee-funded account. Regular employees may choose to participate in pre-tax health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket unreimbursed eligible health care expenses, dependent care expenses, and qualified transportation expenses, in order to have "before-tax" dollars deducted from their paychecks. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Fully-funded by the County, the EAP provides confidential services to help people privately resolve problems that may interfere with work, family, and life. EAP is offered to regular employees, their dependents, and any household members. Services include up to four face-to-face counseling sessions per issue per year, 24-hour phone crisis access to counselors, and convenient access to on-line consultations with licensed counselors. 01 If you attended college did you submit your current transcripts? Official or unofficial copies will suffice as long as they indicate your coursework and/or when you received your degree. Yes No 02 Health and Human Services would like to gather some statistical information and understand how effective our recruitment efforts are. Please take a moment and check the box below indicating where you first heard about this job opening: LinkedIn Job Posting on NCLB JoBank Health and Human Services Representative On-line Recruitment Ad Conference Exhibit Mail Tribune Health and Human Services Jackson County Web site Mail Tribune General Ad Oregon Employment Department Referred by County Employee Walked into Jackson County HR/Risk Other 03 If you selected "Other" from the above question, please indicate where (otherwise please enter "N/A"). Required Question Agency Jackson County Address 10 S. Oakdale Avenue, Room 200 Medford, Oregon, 97501 Phone 541-774-6012 Website