Deputy Director- Luzerne County Veteran Affairs

The purpose of this classification is to provide administrative/managerial assistance for Veterans and their beneficiaries. This position manages and coordinates the Veterans Affairs Office in the absence of or as assigned by the Director of Veteran Affairs. Regarded as the Second-in-Command

• Assist veterans/dependents in applying for available federal benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs by initiating or reopening claims.
• Complete initial application or reopen existing claims for compensation (service-connected disabilities) or pension (non-service-connected disability).
• Research medical conditions and obtain necessary medical records and statement from physicians to support the claim(s).
• Obtain necessary financial information and corroborating information and documents from the veterans former military buddies family members or other sources.
• Assist eligible veterans in filing substantially complete applications for education benefits through the GI Bill or vocational rehabilitation programs.
• Contact and assist survivors of a deceased veteran in obtaining death benefits such as burial in a national cemetery burial allowances government grave marker government life insurance proceeds and survivor benefits.
• Conduct interviews with Veterans to obtain all necessary information regarding their claim.
• Advise and assist veterans on all phases of government life insurance.
• Assist a veteran or the eligible survivor of a veteran in obtaining Veterans Administration home loan benefits.
• Ensure that all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
• Keep in contact with VA Officials and the Veterans Power of Attorney (POA) concerning the status of individual claims.
• Assist veterans/dependents in potential appeals of denied claims to the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington D.C.
• Assist veterans in obtaining medical financial or other information necessary for the appeal.
• Assist veterans in preparation for personal hearings at the VARO to include accompanying them to the hearing if necessary.
• Assist veterans in obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Medical Center (VAMCs) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCS).
• Assist in completing required paperwork and obtain all necessary records for the VAMCs or CBOCS to schedule necessary appointments for the veteran.
• Work with the VAMCs or CBOCS to schedule all necessary appointments for the veteran.
• Work with the VA professional in obtaining public health services home health care or placement in local nursing homes or the Pennsylvania Veterans Homes.
• Assist veterans in applying for available Pennsylvania State benefits administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (PDMVA) by initiating or reopening claims.
• Complete initial application or reopen existing claims for the following state benefits for veterans and their dependents: Emergency Assistance Real Estate Property Tax Exemption Blind Pension Paralyzed Pension Educational Gratuity and other benefits enacted by statute.
• Effectively fulfill all legal requirements for Veteran Benefits provided for by Pennsylvania Statutes
• Assist veterans and their dependents in applying for County Veteran Benefits: Burial Benefits and Luzerne County Veterans Discount ID Card.
• Attends workshops seminars conferences and trainings so as to be knowledgeable regarding the latest changes to the Federal and State laws which govern veterans benefits.

• Present information to the different county veterans organizations to brief members on changes to existing veteran benefit programs.
• Present information regarding veteran benefits to community organizations at their request.
• Responsible for keeping of office records including file generation HIPPA compliance and retention policy and standards.
• Order supplies and services for the Luzerne County Veterans Affairs Office as needed
• Other duties necessary for the efficient operations of the Veterans Affairs Office necessary to provide useful and timely assistance to Luzerne County Veterans and their dependents.

• In order to be eligible for appointment as a Veteran Service Officer for Luzerne County a person must within one year of accepting the position obtain and maintain a United States Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation in accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR 14.629 (relating to requirements for accreditation of service organization representatives; agents; and attorneys) with one of the flowing organizations: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and other Veterans Service Organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
• A person who is appointed as a Veteran Service Officer for Luzerne County shall complete annual continuing education/accreditation training necessary to maintain accreditation in accordance with the provision of 38 CFR 14.629.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with either an Associates Degree or Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree
• One to two years related experience and/or training
• Or equivalent combination of education experience

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review reclassify categorize prioritize and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification and in referencing such analysis to establish standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to pleasantly interact with the public and other government agencies.
• Communication Ability: To be able to communicate with veterans and their dependences with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other sensitive issues/topics e.g. substance abuse PTSD Grieving spouses and families.
• Equipment Machinery Tools and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment machinery tools and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Anatomy and Physiology: Requires a basic understanding of medical terminology and basic body functions.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference descriptive and/or advisory data and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition subtraction multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems such as motivation incentive and leadership and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgement decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADACompliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work but which may involve some lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Secondary Requirements: Requires the ability to communicate orally e.g. present briefings trainings speak to individuals/groups and attend Veterans Expos and other ceremonies.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environment conditions.

Risk Management: Task requires preforming overnight stays for classes and conferences and includes traveling long distances may include going to prisons and houses to speak with veterans and their beneficiaries.

Luzerne County Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.