Assistant Veteran Services Officer

About the role

This role is ideal for someone with exceptional interpersonal skills, a compassionate approach, and a genuine passion for helping veterans and their families navigate important benefits and resources. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor and advocate, combining technical knowledge with empathy, professionalism, and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Maintains current knowledge of military legislation, regulations, and precedents related to veteran benefits.
• Maintains file of appropriate reference materials.
• Maintains contacts in veteran communities, such as the VA Clinic, Vet Center, and service organizations, to facilitate and improve the services offered by the El Paso County Veteran Services Office.
• Interviews, advises, and assists active-duty military personnel, veterans, and/or dependents on disability, insurance, pension, educational benefits, and other matters.
• Provides specific information, explains required forms, and visits homebound and/or nursing home veterans and widows to communicate benefits and make referrals as needed.
• Prepares all necessary forms required to apply for benefits; submits appropriate documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs or through a service organization such as Colorado Veterans Affairs.
• Follows up on claims to ensure claims are processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Maintains copies of final decisions made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Works with the Colorado Division of Veteran Affairs to ensure final decisions regarding veteran benefits are entered and updated in the appropriate databases.
• Promotes the benefits of using the El Paso County Veteran Services Office in the local veteran community.
• Develops PowerPoint presentations, office brochures, and other documents. Provides presentations as needed.
• Performs outreach activities as needed to inform the veteran community of available VA benefits.
• Affords assistance with the development of outreach programs, presentations, and special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations governing veteran benefits.
• Working knowledge of medical, legal, accounting, and income tax fields to handle complex claims.
• Strong working knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to exercise a high degree of interpersonal skills and professionalism.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks; ability to reprioritize as work situations change.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including fax machine, scanner, and copier.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Supervision

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area. Supervision received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Bachelor's degree in behavioral science, business administration, public administration, or related field (preferred).
• Experience in counseling, interviewing, social work, or related work.
• Experience in veteran’s affairs work.
• Honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment; some travel may be required.
• May work with clients in stressful situations.

Pay

Hiring Range: $58,000.00 - $62,000.00 Annually

Schedule

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, subject to change.