LVMAC Tidbit: Lehigh County Seeks Applicants for the Position of Veterans Service Officer
Lehigh County must replace one of its full time veterans affairs employees immediately. If you have the interest, brains and heart to become an accredited veterans service officer — one of the most sought-after qualifications in the complicated world of veterans affairs services — for the purpose of both assisting veterans in Lehigh County in knowing what benefits are available to them and in applying for them, this is the job you want. Note that it is not a civil service position.
| Job Name: | VETERANS’ SERVICES OFFICER I Interested? |
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| Location: | Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs | |
| Wage Type: | Hourly | Rate: | Job Description below |
| Status: | Full Time | Wage Plus: | N/A |
Job Description
This is informational social service work with the County’s Veterans’ Affairs Assistance Program. A position in this class carries out information and referral services for veterans and their family members; maintains liaison with governmental and private agencies. A position in this class is differentiated in the specialization of the clientele served. This position reports directly to the Director of Veterans’ Affairs.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative Only)
Receives and processes applications for benefits such as compensation, pension, insurance, loans, hospitalization, outpatient care, and rehabilitation claims, and forwards them to appropriate agency for processing; verifies entitlement; maintains records and makes reports of activities.
Talks with veterans about benefits available from other public and private sources; informs them of their rights and eligibility requirements; assists in application processing; contacts public officials to intercede on applicant’s behalf; schedules and coordinates cemetery flag placement for Memorial and Veterans’ Day tributes.
Presents identified needs and interests on behalf of clientele to administrative, legislative and other policy and decision-making bodies; works with local veterans’ organizations, informing them of changes in existing programs or services. Maintains case files on all veterans serviced, updates records into computer database, and assists with completion of office correspondence.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of demographic, economic, political and related trends and factors affecting social service resource availability and service provision for veterans.
Knowledge of goals, objectives, principles and practices pertaining to veterans’ rights and benefits programs.
Knowledge of functions, organization and operations commonly found in governmental, community and private social services agencies providing services and benefits to veterans.
Ability to identify and utilize facilities, media, methods and techniques commonly employed in informational and educational programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other local, State, Federal and other community agencies, veterans and their family members and the public.
Ability to express ideas and communicate County policy and/or clientele perspectives effectively, both orally and in writing.
Required to obtain accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs with training sponsored through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs within one year of assignment to the position.
| Schedule: | 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Monday through Friday. |
| Experience: | Three to four years of experience in public information and/or social service work and/or for veterans, or any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited. |
| Education: | G.E.D. or High School Diploma |
| Crime Check: | Criminal background check may be required. |
Comments and Instructions: Interested applicants must submit a completed County application, resume and cover letter for consideration by Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The Appointing Authority will directly contact those applicants they are interested in as potential candidates for this position. According to the County Director for Veterans Affairs applicants MUST apply through the website: https://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Employment-Opportunities
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As of 2 June 2021