Veterans Service Specialist

MCCC•Fairmont, MN

About The Position

Martin County is currently accepting applications for a full-time Veterans Service Specialist in the Martin County Veterans Service office. Under the direction of the Martin County Veterans Service Officer (VSO), the Veterans Service Specialist performs a variety of administrative duties including interacting with veterans and their family’s seeking information and assist the VSO in providing benefits to county veterans and their families. Performs independently and is assigned work to effectively and efficiently administer department operations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provides general or technical information in response to oral and written inquiries and complaints for the general public and county. Any correspondence with state and federal agencies will be completed by Department Director. Provides information to organizations or individuals regarding veterans’ programs and benefits. Answers telephone, schedules appointments, composes letters as necessary, maintains computer data files and processes incoming mail/email correspondence. Manages department records and prepares monthly and annual reports, including monthly billing. Prepares vouchers for incoming invoices. Schedules appointments at the VA medical centers and maintains a van passenger list daily. Directs veteran hospital shuttle operations, supervises volunteer drivers and schedules maintenance of the vans. Operates veterans van for transport or conducts maintenance as needed. Processes necessary forms, research information and secures supporting documents needed to clarify or verify applications FOR Change of Address, Change of Direct Deposit and VA Claims for Standard Government Headstones or Markers or Medallions. Assists veterans in obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Medical Centers (VAMC’s) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCS). Assesses client’s problems and when appropriate makes referrals to other community resources. Interacts with other community resources serving as a reference to them, including other county departments. Advises and refers distraught claimants, some who are mentally ill and/or chemically dependent. Assists in coordinating Student Government Day program. Compiles listings of deceased veterans and burials in Martin County and local cemeteries for Memorial Day activities and district requests. Maintains inventory and orders supplies and equipment for the department. Participates in continuing education and training sessions on position applicable law and regulation changes, computer skills and other position related matters. Performs other work-related duties as required. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel so classified. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Specialized training or education beyond high school, but less than an associate degree. Two years of progressive experience in related field along with the skills, knowledge and abilities required; or equivalent combined education and experience. Veteran or military experience preferred (Veteran as defined by MN Statute Section 197.447). LICENSURE Valid driver’s license. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Demonstrates skills and knowledge of modern office practices and procedures. Ability to maintain clerical records and filing systems. Knowledge of the MN Government Data Practices Act Knowledge of federal rules, regulations, and statutes related to veteran’s benefits, including medical terminology, Social Security, Medicare, and other need-based federal and state programs. Knowledge to accurately work with and apply mathematical concepts, such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to work with prioritizing workload to meet deadlines for multiple tasks and maintain efficiency with frequent interruptions. The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience could provide necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job. POSITION COMPETENCIES ACCOUNTABILITY & DEPENDABILITY Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with limited oversight. Follows instructions and adheres to all County policies and procedures as required. Maintains an acceptable record of work attendance and punctuality in accordance with County and Department requirements. ATTENTION TO DETAIL Diligently attends to details and pursues quality in accomplishing tasks. Checks work to ensure accuracy and completeness. Compares observations or finished work to what is expected to find inconsistencies. COMMUNICATION (VERBAL & WRITTEN) Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain working relationships to produce results, and a work environment that builds rapport and trust. Communicates professionally and effectively with internal and external customers through spoken and written correspondence, including emails. Listens well; respects viewpoints different than own. Contributes knowledge, experience, and feedback appropriately to others. CUSTOMER SERVICE Provides information, options, and/or solutions to inquiries, concerns, and/or requests from the diverse public in a respectful manner. Maintains the County’s reputation of providing a high-level of customer satisfaction. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT & INTEGRITY Demonstrates knowledge and actions consistent with the County’s values and the County’s code of ethics and conduct. Respects and maintains confidentiality. Demonstrates high moral principles and professional standards with others through truthfulness and sincerity; makes ethical decisions. Shows respect for others’ ideas, perspectives, and styles. Demonstrates appropriate business etiquette and social skills. QUALITY OF WORK Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrates the ability to use resources productively, effectively, and efficiently. Demonstrates the ability to think proactively, anticipates potential problems, and provides workable solutions and alternatives with a ‘can do’ approach. Develops and maintains good working knowledge of job responsibilities and prescribed procedures, which facilitates the efficient performance of duties. Takes initiative to utilize job knowledge to analyze situations, resolve problems, and reach decisions. TECHNOLOGY Considerable knowledge of modern office equipment, practices and procedures including a computer and other basic office equipment. Software skills, including excellent typing skills, and the ability to use Microsoft Office products including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The position has good working conditions in general, but is a diversified job requiring sustained mental effort related to public contacts, organizational issues, planning and technical areas. The individual may encounter moderate emotional strain or tension. There is sustained exposure to sitting and standing and public contact. There is continuous exposure to computer keyboards, video screens. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb stairs, and balance, lift and carry up to ten pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds intermittently, push and pull four high file drawers regularly. Some driving of a vehicle in inclement weather is required. Continuous: Work requires high attention to detail; Work with frequent deadlines. Frequent: Walk; Stand; Sit; Lift, carry, push, pull over 60 lbs.; Keyboarding; Repetitive movement; Exposure to emotional public; Work alone. Occasional: Bend or stoop; Kneel or squat; Climbing; Lift or carry less than 10 lbs.; Limited mental effort and/or stress; Some mental effort and stress involved resulting in frustration. Intermittent: Lift or carry 11-25 lbs.; Keyboarding; Exposed to slippery conditions; Inability to leave work station for long periods of times; Exposure to offensive language. This position is responsible for the use of county fleet vehicles, modern office machines and equipment. Martin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Requirements

Specialized training or education beyond high school, but less than an associate degree.
Two years of progressive experience in related field along with the skills, knowledge and abilities required; or equivalent combined education and experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Demonstrates skills and knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Ability to maintain clerical records and filing systems.
Knowledge of the MN Government Data Practices Act
Knowledge of federal rules, regulations, and statutes related to veteran’s benefits, including medical terminology, Social Security, Medicare, and other need-based federal and state programs.
Knowledge to accurately work with and apply mathematical concepts, such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to work with prioritizing workload to meet deadlines for multiple tasks and maintain efficiency with frequent interruptions.
Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with limited oversight.
Follows instructions and adheres to all County policies and procedures as required.
Maintains an acceptable record of work attendance and punctuality in accordance with County and Department requirements.
Diligently attends to details and pursues quality in accomplishing tasks. Checks work to ensure accuracy and completeness. Compares observations or finished work to what is expected to find inconsistencies.
Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain working relationships to produce results, and a work environment that builds rapport and trust. Communicates professionally and effectively with internal and external customers through spoken and written correspondence, including emails. Listens well; respects viewpoints different than own. Contributes knowledge, experience, and feedback appropriately to others.
Provides information, options, and/or solutions to inquiries, concerns, and/or requests from the diverse public in a respectful manner. Maintains the County’s reputation of providing a high-level of customer satisfaction.
Demonstrates knowledge and actions consistent with the County’s values and the County’s code of ethics and conduct. Respects and maintains confidentiality. Demonstrates high moral principles and professional standards with others through truthfulness and sincerity; makes ethical decisions. Shows respect for others’ ideas, perspectives, and styles. Demonstrates appropriate business etiquette and social skills.
Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrates the ability to use resources productively, effectively, and efficiently. Demonstrates the ability to think proactively, anticipates potential problems, and provides workable solutions and alternatives with a ‘can do’ approach. Develops and maintains good working knowledge of job responsibilities and prescribed procedures, which facilitates the efficient performance of duties. Takes initiative to utilize job knowledge to analyze situations, resolve problems, and reach decisions.
Considerable knowledge of modern office equipment, practices and procedures including a computer and other basic office equipment. Software skills, including excellent typing skills, and the ability to use Microsoft Office products including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Veteran or military experience preferred (Veteran as defined by MN Statute Section 197.447).

Responsibilities

Provides general or technical information in response to oral and written inquiries and complaints for the general public and county. Any correspondence with state and federal agencies will be completed by Department Director.
Provides information to organizations or individuals regarding veterans’ programs and benefits.
Answers telephone, schedules appointments, composes letters as necessary, maintains computer data files and processes incoming mail/email correspondence.
Manages department records and prepares monthly and annual reports, including monthly billing.
Prepares vouchers for incoming invoices.
Schedules appointments at the VA medical centers and maintains a van passenger list daily.
Directs veteran hospital shuttle operations, supervises volunteer drivers and schedules maintenance of the vans.
Operates veterans van for transport or conducts maintenance as needed.
Processes necessary forms, research information and secures supporting documents needed to clarify or verify applications FOR Change of Address, Change of Direct Deposit and VA Claims for Standard Government Headstones or Markers or Medallions.
Assists veterans in obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Medical Centers (VAMC’s) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCS).
Assesses client’s problems and when appropriate makes referrals to other community resources.
Interacts with other community resources serving as a reference to them, including other county departments.
Advises and refers distraught claimants, some who are mentally ill and/or chemically dependent.
Assists in coordinating Student Government Day program.
Compiles listings of deceased veterans and burials in Martin County and local cemeteries for Memorial Day activities and district requests.
Maintains inventory and orders supplies and equipment for the department.
Participates in continuing education and training sessions on position applicable law and regulation changes, computer skills and other position related matters.
Performs other work-related duties as required.