Human Resources

Job Location

County of Chelan Economic Services 400 Douglas Street Wenatchee, WA 98801

Description

SALARY: PW18 Step 2-4 $5,933.30 - $6,496.13 (FLSA - Non Exempt)  LONGEVITY Step 5-8 $6,798.82 - $7,800.78 (FLSA - Exempt) 

Benefits: The comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and life insurance, as well as participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Chelan County also contributes to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Optional benefits, including deferred compensation, are also available. Employees receive paid holidays, additional floating holidays as provided under the applicable collective bargaining agreement, and monthly vacation and sick leave accruals.

GENERAL FUNCTION

Under supervision of the Community Services Manager, the Veteran Services Officer Supervisor’s main function is to oversee and manage the day-to-day operations at the Veteran Services Office also known as the VSO. This position performs support work related to department activities; may create, implement, and participate in technical processes, procedures, and programs; and performs related work as required.

This includes, but is not limited, reaching out to Veteran’s Organizations and Veterans through traditional public relations, community involvement, and by initiation and implementation of activities that encourage them to access available benefits; providing quality advocacy for all U.S. Veterans and their dependents and survivors through benefit counseling and programs, claims, and outreach services; and responding to the needs of Chelan County Veteran’s, service members, their dependents and survivors, and to provide linkage for them to other support services by developing and maintaining a case management system.

Overall responsibilities include executing systemic countywide plans to address existing and emergent needs, ensuring strategic investments with available funding, measuring and reporting on federal, state, and local program progress, effectiveness, and success. This position provides coordination and leadership for the Veteran’s Advisory Board in accordance with RCW 73.08.035 and manages all operations of the Veteran Service Office, and the Veteran’s Services staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the supervision of the Veteran Service Office and Veteran Services portfolio by coordinating and overseeing quality and provision of work through one-on-one meetings and daily check-ins.
• Assist the Veteran Services Officer(s) by taking on higher barrier claimants with the application process, obtains necessary supporting documentation, follows the progress of the claim through channels and takes whatever action required to expedites the claim, assists clients in preparing appeals where claims have been denied.
• Direct clients to agencies in the community who may be able to provide additional assistance such as local veteran-based nonprofits, organizations, or federal agencies and/or other resources to meet the need of the veteran.
• Work closely with the Veteran’s Advisory Board’s Chair to discuss Veteran’s Services activities, needs and suggestions for improved services and coordination of Veteran Advisory Board meetings.
• Develop and maintain reporting measures for the review of the Veteran’s Advisory Board, and the Board of County Commissioners, and all other appropriate leadership at the local, state, and federal levels when applicable
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for the Veteran Assistance Fund in conjunction with the Veteran Advisory Board
• Coordinate approvals and requests from the Veteran Advisory Board to the Board of County Commissioners
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the operations of the Veteran Service Office
• Regularly review the policies and procedures for any updates  
• Manage the Veteran Assistance Fund by approving or denying requests based on the approved policies and procedures from the Veteran Advisory Board and applicable RCWs.
• Stay up to date on local, state, and federal regulations newly implemented or in-progress
• Advocate for changes in local, state, and federal regulations when applicable to better serve veterans in the community
• Interpreting relevant laws to clients and aiding them in making proper claims for benefits or directing them to the proper authority.
• Attend regularly scheduled virtual meeting for Washington State Veteran Service Officers.
• Develop and maintain the budget for the Veteran’s Services Office in partnership with the Community Services Manager.
• Interpret and explain written material and laws to Veterans and dependents.
• Increase access to funding through local, state, and federal resources and grants to help address the need of Veterans in the community
• Implement and oversee case management services for veterans
• Escalated case management services for complex/acute Veteran situations
• Develop relationships with Veteran specific mental health organizations to better connect Veterans in need
• Increase access to Federal VA benefits and/or supports by creating and/or maintaining relationships, seeking out new materials or information put out by the Federal VA, and attending trainings and conferences.
• Serve as a liaison with mental health organizations at the local, state, and federal levels
• Develop a plan for a regional approach to providing effective services to Veterans who reside in North Central Washington.
• Coordination of capital facility management
• Perform other duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree or two years of experience in a social service environment with considerable public contact in a professional environment; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge skills and experience.  Military service background preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must have knowledge of current laws relating to benefits for Veterans and their dependents, programs and activities of state, federal and other agencies rendering services to Veterans and their dependents.
• Must be an accredited Veteran Service Officer
• Must have knowledge of developing and maintaining an office budget.
• Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, groups, and related organizations. Including ability and willingness to speak publicly in order to report to the Veteran’s Advisory Board and Board of Chelan County Commissioners.
• Must be able to communicate clearly, tactfully and professionally with Veterans and their dependents and maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Must be familiar with and able to use Microsoft Office programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license; must attend Veteran’s Service Officer training, and attain CVSO credentials within first 6 months of employment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position oversees the Veteran Service Office’s day-to-day operations and Veteran Service Office staff.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to understand state RCW’s and guide veterans and their dependents through the process of determining eligibility and accessing available benefits.  Must be able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing. Preferred bilingual in Spanish, but is not required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Must have basic math and bookkeeping skills and ability to develop and maintain an office budget.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  Apply common sense understanding to applicable RCW’s;

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Primary work environment will be indoors in an office setting. Travel between buildings and to various service organizations and locations outside of the main office will be necessary to meet with Veterans, dependents and other service providers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

May be required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time. Must be able to talk and listen. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Noise level is minor to moderate depending on location of work performed.

CLOSING STATEMENT

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA Status Disclosure:

This position is classified as exempt under the Administrative Exemption when the incumbent meets the Washington State salary threshold and duties test requirements. If the salary falls below the applicable threshold, the position will be classified as non-exempt.