Veteran Service/Human Service Support

JOB TITLE: Veteran’s Service Officer /Human Services Manager

DEPARTMENT: Veteran’s Services

PURPOSE OF POSITION : This position oversees two important roles of Hughes County. The VSO educates veterans on their benefits and eligibility and assists them with the application process for benefits with multiple outside agencies. The HSM role is responsible for the administration of social welfare programs aimed at assisting indigent individuals/families within Hughes County. The HSM position is also responsible for the payment and verification of billings received by the county as well as invoicing of payments due the county.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelors degree in social work, counseling, or related human service field. No experience necessary.
• Associate degree in social work, counseling, or related field, with 1 year of relevant experience.
• No degree with 2 years of relevant experience.
• Must be a veteran as defined in SDCL 33A-2-1.

Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid drivers license.
• Successfully complete pre-employment background process.
• Proficient in computer applications, including database management systems.
• Knowledge or ability to learn federal laws, rules, regulations, agency policies and procedures and how to research those areas.
• Familiarity of Veterans Administration (VA) rules and regulations and federal, state, and local laws governing veterans’ benefits.
• Working knowledge of counseling techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret federal and state laws and regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with clients of varied ages, races, cultural traditions, and backgrounds and respect client confidentiality and uphold ethical standards.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal directions.
• Provide a high level of customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to maintain professional appearance and demeanor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Counsel and educate veterans and dependents on eligibility for, and various aspects of, veterans benefits.
• Assist veterans in completing forms and applications to apply for VA or state veterans benefits including service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension, widows pension, education, state bonus, home loan guarantee, burial, health care enrollment, state veterans home application, and appeals.
• Obtain documents and records to complete claims including discharge paperwork, medical and service medical records, bank records, divorce decrees, and marriage, birth and death certificates.
• Maintain records, data, and filing systems.
• Maintain, apply, and communicate information about new and changing VA laws and state regulations applicable to veterans benefits.
• Present information about veterans benefits to the public.
• Collaborate with other agencies and businesses to assist in developing and planning veterans programs, services, and resources.
• Can perform all essential functions of the Veteran Administrative Office Assistant position to properly meet the needs of the Veterans when the Administrative Assistant is out of the office.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing the administration of social welfare programs, including reporting requirements and programmatic guidelines.
• Manage a caseload of individuals and families requesting assistance through various social welfare programs, including but not limited to financial aid, housing support, food assistance, and healthcare services.
• Receive and process applications for social welfare programs, ensuring that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
• Conduct interviews and assessments to determine the eligibility of applicants for assistance programs based on established criteria and guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client information case notes and program eligibility determinations in accordance with confidentiality protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain current/correct billing information for individual case files.
• Attend relevant meetings, training conferences, and workshops.
• May cross-train with Caseworkers to provide services.
• Other duties as assigned.
• May perform duties as assigned by the County Manager or the County Commissioners.

REPORTS TO: County Manager

SUPERVISES : N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Visual-Good overall vision, color perception, depth perception
• Occasional reading and close-up work
• Normal hand and eye coordination
• Good field of vision/peripheral
• Dexterity-Frequent holding, reaching grasping occasional repetitive motion
• Frequent writing
• Hearing/Talking – frequent hearing of normal speech and talking in person.
• Frequent concentration, and decision making,
• Frequent public contact and working alone
• May be required to reach with hands and arms
• Requires long periods of sitting and/or standing
• Lifting- occasional 5 to 30 lbs. or less.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching.
• Work regularly exposes the incumbent to potentially hostile situations and to individuals that are angry, agitated or otherwise upset.

Compensation:

Starting $62,225.92