Summary:

The primary duties of this position involve counseling and assisting military veterans and their dependents or survivors. Work involves assisting and advising claimants in their pursuit of benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies. Duties include studying and explaining State and Federal veterans’ legislation, regulations and procedures, consulting with medical care providers, preparing veterans benefit claims, and consulting with other government agencies to ensure that their clientele are receiving the maximum level of assistance and benefits to which they are entitled.

** Essential Functions:**

Reception Coverage & Administrative Assistance

• Provide excellent customer service, greet visitors, and direct them to the individual or information needed to assist them
• Perform regular administrative duties including but not limited to answering phones, taking accurate and clear messages, delivering and receiving mail and confidential documents, scheduling appointments
• Run department errands as needed
• Prepare claim sheets for invoices received
• Gather and provide resource information as requested and needed
• Accumulate and assemble data from a variety of sources and prepare reports as needed

Certified Veterans Service Officer

• Complete initial application, or reopen existing claims, for compensation (service-connected disabilities) or pension (non-service-connected disability).
• Assist veterans in applying for available state benefits from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), by initiating or reopening claims.
• Research medical conditions and obtain necessary medical records and statements from physicians to support the claim(s).
• Obtain necessary financial information and corroborating information and documents from the veteran’s military buddies, family members, or other sources.
• File application for eligible veterans for education under the GI Bill, or for vocational rehabilitation.
• Counsel and advise survivors of a deceased veterans in obtaining death benefits such as burial in a national cemetery, burial allowances, government grave marker, government life insurance proceeds and survivor benefits.
• Advise and assist veterans on all phases of government life insurance.
• Veterans Administration home loan benefits.
• Ensure that all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
• Enter all claims information on computer and stats on the County tracking worksheet.
• Maintain claims information in VetraSpec.
• Keep in contact with VA Officials as the veteran’s Power of Attorney (POA) concerning the status of individual claims.
• Assist veterans/dependents to the best of ability within the VA guidelines, in appealing denied claims to the local VA Regional Office (VARO), the local Decision Review Officers, or the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington D.C.
• Direct veterans on how to obtain necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCS) and research information.
• Access and obtain information regarding claims from Veteran Benefit Management System (VBMS).
• Maintain confidentiality according to HIPPA rules.

Outreach

• Support implementation of coordinated strategies to promote services and connect resources with the veteran community
• Provide coverage at community meetings and gatherings as needed

General

• Training in IS 100, 200, 700, 800, 300, 400
• Basic core functions for emergency response
• Other duties as assigned

** Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:**

Knowledge of:

• Federal rules, regulations, and statutes of the VA and ODVA
• Case law of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• Etiology and relationship of medical conditions
• Medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology
• Social Security, Medicare, and all need-based federal and state programs
• Knowledge of legal documents and processes necessary to substantiate claims benefits.

Skills:

• To read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• To respond to common inquiries or, complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• To work with and apply mathematical concepts, such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical situations.
• To actively listen in order to identify client needs and develop a course of action
• To define problems, collect date, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• To interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Ability to:

• Ability to write and complete accurate claims in order for Veterans to receive the appropriate benefits.

• Understand, interpret, and apply federal laws and regulations.

• Understand and interpret medical records and statements.

• Prepare written statements on behalf of claimants.

• Assist in preparation of oral presentations on behalf of claimants.

• Express technical information in clear oral or written manner

• Counsel, advise, and appropriately connect distraught claimants to resources, some who are mentally ill and/or chemically dependent.

• Possess the organizational skills to handle multiple complex claims simultaneously.

** Qualifications:**

Required

• Associate’s degree in relevant field

• Any equivalent combination of service, training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the job

• Obtain and Maintain accreditation as a County Veterans Service Officer according to ODVA.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/experience in social services, health care, administration, or related field
• Current or previous accreditation as a Veteran Service Officer
• Experience filing claims and navigating state and/or federal systems

** Position Details:**

• The duties outlined in this job description are not all inclusive and additional duties and tasks will be assigned as required.

• Work location is Veteran’s Service Office

• Fair Labor Standards Classification: non-Exempt

• Crook County is an equal opportunity employer.

• This position is ‘at-will’, and either Crook County or the employee may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause.