VETERANS BENEFITS SPECIALIST

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

VETERANS BENEFITS SPECIALIST

The Veterans Services Office provides support to veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through federal and state programs, acting as an advocate on their behalf and directing them to other authorized agencies or providers as their needs dictate.

The Veterans Benefits Specialist performs complex claim processing, clerical, and record keeping procedures calling for individual judgment and initiative.  This position is responsible for conducting transactions in matters requiring a highly specialized knowledge and understanding of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) laws, regulations, and/or departmental policies and procedures. Tasks are performed under the direction of the County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) and involve highly confidential information.

This position reports to the Assistant Veterans Services Officer.

Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an

Equal Opportunity Employer.

2024 Hiring Range:  $23.43 - $26.62 per hour

Position Summary and Job Duties

• Process applications by veterans and their dependents for disability compensation and pension, to include health care, skilled nursing care, and caregiver services
• Work with veterans and their dependents regarding medical, subsistence, retraining, relief grant, and financial assistance programs
• Work with veterans and their dependents regarding education benefits and eligibility for tuition assistance through GI bills, to include vocational rehabilitation
• Assist in the coordination and planning of major events such as annual homeless veterans’ stand-down, veterans’ celebration, and veterans’ town-hall meetings
• Serve as communication central point of contact to promulgate the latest information and news to veterans via email, social media, and other platform outlets
• Process Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims and veterans’ burial reimbursement for survivors and eligible dependents
• Work with veterans and their dependents to determine and process benefit eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and Kenosha County benefits available
• Perform as the Co-Mentor Coordinator for Second Judicial District of Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court
• Coordinate the issuance of gas cards to assist veterans to/from their scheduled medical appointments within the VA hospital system
• Maintain database of users of the Kenosha County website for veterans’ programs; input/update veteran information into WDVA database, including discharges; and maintain Vetraspec proprietary database for management reports
• Work and communicate with various federal, state, and local agencies, such as Social Security Administration, Vet Center, Register of Deeds, Department of Health & Human Services, other County Veterans Services Offices, and medical facilities, to assist veterans and their dependents
• Attend training conferences at the national and state level in order to maintain accreditation, including informative workshops/meetings to gain knowledge of veterans’ benefits
• Provide notice of veteran deaths to Milwaukee VA Regional Office (VARO) and provide information regarding veteran burials to WDVA as required by statutes
• Understand and maintain database program for submission of grants
• Prepare press releases from VA and/or WDVA information and release to area newspapers, maintain Division of Veterans Services web page, and prepare/update informational brochures and handouts to County veteran service organizations and others
• Initiate, update, and maintain confidential records, files, forms, and data systems
• Independently compile and analyze data and prepare various reports
• Coordinate work outreach initiatives; may require work outside of normal hours and travel to provide extended services to veterans in the western part of Kenosha County
• Serve as screening processor to assist veterans with financial assistance and refer veterans to CVSO for eligibility for Veterans Service Commission emergency financial aid funds
• Perform other duties as required or assigned

Success Factors

Knowledge of:

• Applicable current federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations
• State and federal veteran benefits and eligibility requirements
• State and federal burial and death benefits
• Appropriate forms and documents required for benefit applications and processing procedures
• General office procedures, computer hardware/software, and office equipment
• Office and government terminology dealing with veterans’ policies, practices, and procedures
• Vetraspec software system preferred

Skill in:

• Use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Basic internet usage
• Verbal and written communication
• Attention to detail and organization

Ability to:

• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Write routine reports and correspondence
• Speak effectively before veterans or employees, using tact and diplomacy
• Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Apply concepts of basic math, algebra, and geometry
• Handle money and work accurately with the receipt of funds
• Work with limited daily supervision, proceeding alone on routine matters and referring other matters to supervisor
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Handle problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Regularly work with confidential data and maintain security of confidential matters and materials which may include protected health information (includes electronic PHI).  Information can be of a personal nature, and if disclosed could cause serious adverse legal and community reaction and concern for the Veterans Services Office and Kenosha County.

• Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

• Associate degree in human services or related field
• Experience working in human services or social work

Preferred Education and Experience

• Veteran status
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or related field
• Two years of experience in veterans’ benefits or related field
• Two years of experience in processing VA claims and appeals
• Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the job

Other Job Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• WDVA Accreditation within six months of employment required
• National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) Accreditation within one year of employment required
• Upon receiving WDVA or NACVSO Accreditation, must be able to pass a background clearance through VA-PIV within 6 months of employment
• Must achieve and maintain State of Wisconsin Notary Public commission

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan:  Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently

Selection Process

• Application Review - Qualifying
• Oral Interview - Qualifying
• Background Check - Qualifying
• Drug Screen - Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

To learn more about the Division of Veterans Services, please visit:  http://www.kenoshacounty.org/veterans

Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE8 (Min. $23.43 – Max. $29.81 per hour).

This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.  To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, please visit:  https://www.visitkenosha.com/

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.