What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterans Service Officer Northeast Region position at State of Colorado?
DMVA offers a comprehensive benefit program to its classified work force that includes paid holidays, annual leave, sick leave, medical, dental, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, and public retirement options. DMVA also strives to assist employees in achieving a healthy work/life balance by offering some flex scheduling, on-site fitness facilities, free parking, and a variety of training opportunities! This position works for the Division of Veterans Affairs and will be a Regional Veterans Service Officer and Advocate for the Northeast Region of Colorado. The Northeast Region includes the following Counties: Larimer, Boulder, Weld, Adams, Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, and Kiowa (subject to change). While it's not required for the NE Regional VSO to reside within the Region, it is required for the Northeast Regional VSO to maintain an office within the Region. This could include being in the office up to five (5) days a week, Monday through Friday. Ability to travel throughout assigned region is expected. The division is a small team of professionals where teamwork and ability to also work independently is crucial. This position facilitates outreach programs to veterans and their families as well as providing training and development to the County Service Officers within their assigned region. This position advises Colorado veterans and their dependents on state and federal entitlements that include pensions, compensation, military law, employment and reemployment, insurance, health care, education, provisions of laws relating to veterans' rights and privileges, and medical and vocational rehabilitation services and facilities. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
- preparing claims on behalf of veterans;
- assisting and advising County Veteran Service Officers in the preparation and submittal of claims;
- interviews and consults with prospective clients, either face-to-face or virtual, some with severe mental or physical disabilities, on the subject of veteran benefits;
- completing appropriate claim forms in accordance with Title 38USCA, 38 Code of Federal Regulations and Title 28 Part 7 of the Colorado Revised Statutes;
- evaluates evidence and request evidence in support of contentions advanced by the claimant;
- uses judgment and resources to interpreting regulations and precedents so they can be applied to a particular situation that is favorable to the client;
- acknowledges and responds to electronic Power Of Attorney requests from federal Veterans Affairs;
- completes the Veterans Administration Americal Medical Association decision review develpment paperwork for supplemental claims and higher level reviews;
- conducts pre-determination hearings and Home Loan Review for informal conferences;
- provides onsite and virtual training to newly hired County Veterans Service Officers within the region and continues support until the newly hired individual is established and able to perform duties on their own;
- assists with accreditation and access to Veterans Affairs systems;
- Assists County Veterans Service Officers in all aspects of Veterans assistance and outreach as needed or requested;
- Coordinates and conducts quarterly training to promote teamwork and high-quality customer service; and
- assists with Service Officer training as requested.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires each of the following:
- be a Colorado resident at the time of application (future plans to move to Colorado cannot be accepted);
- be an honorably discharged veteran from the military forces of the United States and have a DD214 that must be submitted and attached to electronic applications;
- graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Social Services, Behavioral Science, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Business Administration, or very closely related field;
- have one year of professional experience working directly with military and/or veterans in a social or human service capacity. Examples would include working with veterans in a professional capacity with Social Security (SSI); Veterans Home Loans; County Assessor (tax exemptions); SDI (Job Disability); Employment Development (jobs for veterans); SBA (business loans); or Educational Loans (Vocational Rehabilitation, VEAP, Montgomery and Post 9-11 GI Bills);
- have six months' experience working in a professional capacity with Freedom of Information and the Health Insurance Portability, Privacy, and Accountability acts which included providing information assistance while protecting the interests of the claimant and their privacy;
- have six months' experience working in a professional capacity with U.S. Codes, Federal regulations, State statutes, court decisions, or legal research.
- be willing to undergo and successfully pass a comprehensive background check that allows access to federal Veterans Affairs files;
- possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's license with proof of insurance;
- must have outstanding public presentation capabilities and presence;
- be willing to occasionally have contact with and work with unpredictable, potentially disruptive clients;
- be computer literate;
- be willing to make oral presentations before a large group;
- be willing to travel;
- be willing to work independently AND as part of a team;
- have the ability to change and adapt behavior and work methods in response to changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; and
- have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- complete and official on-line State of Colorado Application form (resumes in lieu of official on-line applications will not be considered at time of qualification review)
- DD214
- unofficial transcripts
- driver's license number and State in which the license is issued must be completed on application form (do not leave this section blank).
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
DMVA Diversity Goals:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Accommodations:
The Department of Personnel & Administration is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Tamy Calahan at tamy.calahan@dmva.state.co.us or 720-250-1520.