Veterans Claims Officer IIIIII

Be part of an agency that recognizes the courageous service of Ventura County veterans and join a team of professionals that works hard to help veterans and their families gain access to benefits they have earned.

The Human Services Agency (HSA) is seeking Veterans Claims Officers for the County Veteran Services Office. There are currently three vacancies; office location is Oxnard and may require travel throughout Ventura County and California.

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Veterans PointsThis classification has been designated for Veterans Points. Any person who has been discharged or released from military service under condition other than dishonorable within fifteen (15) years of the final filing date for this recruitment shall receive a credit of five percent (5%) added to their exam score. Notwithstanding their date of discharge veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of twenty percent (20%) or more shall be eligible to receive this credit. Such credit is allowed only if the veteran attains a passing score on the exam. Presentation of discharge papers (DD214) for inspection prior to the final filing date of this recruitment is required of all applicants seeking veterans credit.
• General Salary IncreasesOf 3.5% each year forand 2028.
• Educational Incentive An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associates degree 3.5% for completion of a bachelors degree OR 5% for completion of a graduates degree.
• Bilingual Incentive Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I) $1.00 per hour (Level II) or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Vacation Accrual New regular full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase atand 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Annual Leave Redemption After 10400 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to cash in or redeem up to 120 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation Eligible to participate in the Countys 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to$26626.96annually to offset the purchase of medicalinsurance for you and your dependents.
  • Employee only - $463.99 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus one dependent - $834.32 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus family - $1024.11 per biweekly pay period
• Dental and Vision Dental and Vision insurance is free for all employees enrolled in a healthcare plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan Both the County and employees contribute to the Countys Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
• Holidays 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits Tuition Reimbursement Disability Plans Employee Assistance Program Life Insurance Wellness Program.

OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY
Ventura County is located on Californias Gold Coast approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 20 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. The County includes 42 miles of coastlineas well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest Channel Islands National Park and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Residents enjoy rolling hills and sweeping ocean views in a nearly perfect Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 74 degrees. The beauty and weather combined with a wonderful quality of life are among the many reasons our residents choose to call Ventura County home.

The County of Ventura strives to actively promote diversity and inclusion to reflect and engage our community. It focuses on serving its residents by promoting engagement strategy execution and accountability to include diversity equity and inclusion initiatives to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and without discrimination and to improve culturally appropriate outcomes for community members.

THE AGENCY

The Human Services Agency (HSA) provides public services to more than one-quarter of the countys residents. The agency strives to value and respect each persons unique experiences through compassionate healing-centered care and equitable services that build trust safety and empowerment provide for voice and choice and leverage the strengths of individuals and families. We recognize that our approximate 1500 staff members are our most valuable resource and we are proud of the diverse perspectives and experiences our employees bring to work as we strive to meet the unique needs of our clients within our multicultural environment. Visit our Agency website at .

Ideal candidates will possess the following competencies:

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Analyzing and evaluating information problems and options with logic and good judgment
• Customer Service - Ensuring consistent responsive and superior delivery of services to internal and external stakeholders
• Attention to Detail - Accomplishing tasks thoroughly with concern for all elements involved however small
• Industry & Regulatory Awareness - Knowing the contours of the legal and regulatory environment and understanding the broader political economic and social factors affecting the County and its Agencies
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding analyzing and applying written information
• Conflict Management Preventing mitigating and resolving disputes and other interpersonal tensions
• Decision Making Exercising discretion and good judgement in evaluating and choosing optimal courses of action
• Information Gathering Proactively obtaining facts and data needed to effectively answer question solve problems or complete projects
• Self-Management Exemplifying personal organization dependability and self-discipline
• Professional Integrity & Ethics Demonstrating high standards of conduct and consistently adhering to sound moral principles
• Communication Respectfully delivering pertinent truthful and timely information and comprehending information delivered by others
• Business/Technical Expertise - Skillfully applying specialized job-related knowledge

HS Veterans Claims Officer I/II/III is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Interviews and advises claimants regarding available VA benefits; assists in the filing of claims and securing necessary support documents to determine eligibility for federal state and local programs.
• Reviews VA case decisions and award actions to ensure equity for the claimant.
• Researches interprets evaluates and explains applicable federal state and local laws and regulations regarding military and veterans benefits programs and services.
• Prepares and maintains records reports and correspondence.
• Files for appellate action where appropriate to the Board of Veterans Appeals.
• Initiates and responds to oral and written inquiries from other agencies and the public in accordance with federal state and local policies.
• May be required to see clients in a field environment outside of the main office to include home hospital jail field offices throughout Ventura County or other offsite locations.
• Prepares and presents benefits briefings to veteran and service organizations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION TRAINING and EXPERIENCE:

HS Veterans Claims Officer I
Military Service: Possession of a DD form 214 or equivalent which indicates honorable service in the United States Armed Forces;
OR
two (2) years experience which involved interviewing and gathering informationfrom individuals in a military environment;
OR
Possession of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university.

Substitution: Experience interviewing and gathering information from individuals in a non-military environment may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

HSVeterans Claims Officer II
Bachelors degree or possession of DD form 214 or equivalent which indicates honorable service in the United States Armed Forces AND one (1) year experience comparable to a HS Veterans Claims Officer I AND successful completion of accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

HS Veterans Claims Officer III
Bachelors degree or possession of DD form 214 or equivalent which indicates honorable service in the United States Armed Forces AND one (1) year experience comparable to a HS Veterans Claims Officer II AND successful completion of accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs AND cross-accreditation with other Veterans Services Organizations.

Work schedules may be subject to change. Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.

Work is primarily performed in an office environment but may require visits to other organizations agencies and departments private businesses client homes or work locations some locations may be unsanitary or unsafe; and will require direct meetings with the public co-located and external program partners and other community groups. May be exposed to sick disabled hostile uncooperative or mentally unstable clients/relatives. May be required to perform after hours work as needed.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess or obtain and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Proof of accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is required for HS Veterans Claims Officer II/III.
• Proof of cross-accreditation with other recognized Veterans Services Organizations is required for HS Veterans Claims Officer III.

• Military veteran who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.
• Military medical unit expertise/knowledge.
• Bachelors or higher level degree.
• Work experience interviewing and gathering information in a military environment.
• Work experience with community resources available to veterans and their dependents.
• Work experience researching interpreting and evaluating federal state and local laws and regulations regarding military and veterans rights benefits programs and services.