Veterans Service Officer

The Montana Veteran Affairs Division is seeking a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who has exceptional multitasking abilities and strong attention to detail. This position is located at the Havre office and serves as a case manager for veterans’ benefits claims. Responsibilities involve preparation, submission, and monitoring claims and advocating for veterans and veteran family members throughout the associated processes. This position reports to the North Regional Veteran Service Officer.   
Other duties include maintaining office files and calculating and reporting statistics of the veterans served in the Havre outreach area. The incumbent must be able to attain this within six months from the hire date and maintain a Veteran Affairs accreditation. 
The following items must be submitted with the online state application form to be considered (be sure to mark your attachments as relevant):
•    Cover Letter
•    Resume 

Duties:
•    Assess individual needs and circumstances to determine maximum eligibility for various veterans’ benefits and entitlement claims. 
•    Establish and manage veterans’ cases at various stages of completion. 
•    Research and review veteran's medical records and prior claims to identify eligibility for additional or alternate benefits and services. 
•    Submit veteran’s claims for federal processing, review applications for accuracy, conduct quality assurance reviews, and research to obtain additional information to substantiate claims. 
•    Represent client; interpret and present information necessary to justify appeals for maximum entitlements. 
•    Represent the agency at meetings, conferences, and other veterans’ events sponsored by outside entities. 
•    Coordinate with manager for assistance with sensitive or unusual veteran claim packages. 
•    Serve as veterans advocate and conduct outreach activities. 

This position is in the Veterans Services Officer Career Ladder. Placement and advancement to each career level are determined by job performance, attainment of required certifications and accreditation, and achievement of the minimum qualifications for each level. 


 

Education and Experience: 
•    Associates degree in business communication or social services and; 
•    1 Year Experience in case management, benefits and claim processing, and/or military service with an emphasis on management services.  
•    Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Minimum Physical/Mental Requirements
•    May need to work at a computer daily for 8 or more hours at a time;
•    Fluctuation in workload may require more than a 40-hour workweek.

Typical Work Environment
•    Normal office environment, located at Havre
•    Must be able to work physically on-site in the office 80%25-100%25 of the time. 
•    This position performs outreach to communities in the Havre area.

Condition of Employment
•    Must pass a background check and have a good driving record.
•    Must be able to attain within six months from the hire date and maintain Veteran Affairs accreditation.

Travel
•    Yes, 10%25 of the Time