Veterans Service Representative I

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Non-Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa Veterans Service Office

Veterans benefits programs are important to millions of Americans. Approximately one-third of the U.S. population is potentially eligible for federal veterans benefits. Veterans are THE reason this department exists our common purpose and we direct our efforts toward meeting their needs.

The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office was created to help local veterans and their families obtain veterans benefits from federal state and local agencies. Since the departments inception the Board of Supervisors has continued to recognize the need for professional veterans advocates to provide claims assistance to the 50000 veterans and their families who reside in this county. Because of this we maintain the willingness to change and are flexible in our attitudes.

County Veterans Service Offices play an important role in a national veterans advocacy network. We work in concert with state employees Veterans service organizations and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff to secure clients benefits. We are often the initial contact for veterans in the community. Therefore it is important to us that our first contact with a Veteran be a positive experience. We believe that respect integrity trust and fairness are the hallmarks of all our interactions and we value a culture where everyone is involved accountable respected and appreciated.

This recruitment will be used to fill one vacancy.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about helping Veterans
• Thorough and responsive in their work
• Able to learn laws policies and procedures quickly

• Effectively leading interviews with Veterans to understand which benefits they are eligible to apply for
• Assisting Veterans in applying for Federal and State benefits
• Managing multiple claims and appeals for Veterans regarding a variety of programs
• Thoroughly documenting case notes and providing status updates to your clients
• Networking with Federal State and local agencies on behalf of your clients

• You will make a positive impact on the lives of Veterans and their families by helping them get the services they need
• You will work with others who are passionate about helping Veterans
• You will be working in an environment that values respect integrity trust and fairness

• You will encounter Veterans who have had traumatic experiences
• You typically have lots of interaction with others if you like to work alone this could be difficult
• We have high standards for performance and quality of work

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information propositions and claims
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political economic competitive and social factors affecting the industry
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding interpreting and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty adherence to principles and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization self-discipline and dependability
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

License Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a valid California motor vehicle operators license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operators license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling psychology sociology business administration public administration or a closely related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time professional experience providing one-on-one eligibility and counseling services to clients of state and federal programs including claim preparation and appeal assistance. Qualifying experience must include research and analysis of pertinent laws regulations and programs.

Substitution for Education: Additional professional experience providing veterans benefits counseling may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Substitution for Experience: Active Duty experience as a commissioned officer or a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years. Qualifying experience must have included research and analysis of pertinent laws regulations and programs.

Special Requirement: As a condition of employment and within the probationary period the incumbent shall obtain United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) accreditation through the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) pursuant to Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 14.629.

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Online Interview Assessment:Candidates that possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online Interview Assessment. The assessment is designed to measure candidates competencies as they relate to the Veterans Services Manager classification. Candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Decision Making Legal and Regulatory Navigation Professional and Technical Expertise Displaying Ownership and Accountability and Coaching and Developing Others. (Weighted: 100%)