Veterans Service Officer at Beaufort County in South Carolina

The Veterans Service Officer (VSO) has the distinctive role of comprehending each veteran's circumstances and offering guidance on available support avenues. The VSO undertakes complex case management responsibilities for designated veterans, in keeping with our nation’s promise to provide services to them and their families from enlistment to the end of life. They provide crucial support to surviving spouses and/or family members as well. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to screening, assessing, evaluating, and managing veteran cases.

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Counsels veterans and their dependents and survivors and assists them in applying to the Veterans Administration for pension, compensations, burial allowance, medical services, education, and housing loans, death benefits, and other benefits.
• Assists veterans with disability applications and assuring that necessary records, medical reports, and materials are collected and submitted.
• Assists veterans and their families with a wide variety of paperwork processing and expediting; recommends acceptable documentation and sources to obtain documentation for applications and claims.
• Interprets, applies, explains, and researches various regulations and benefits.
• Clarifies problems and claims by contacting national, regional, state, and district veteran’s representative, discussing the options and resolving issues.
• Establishes and maintains a variety of records, reports, and applicant files.
• Prepares documentation for appeals of benefit denials; the County Veterans Service Counselor has the option to appear with veterans or dependents before administrative agencies or courts.
• Makes presentations to community groups and veteran organizations as outreach on veteran’s services.
• Refers veterans and dependents to other social service agencies which provide required assistance.
• Performs related work as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree.
• Eight (8) years of military service.
• Notary Public.
• Veterans Service Organization Representative Accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs or obtain with 6 months of hire.
• Veterans Benefits Management System Certification from South Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Representative Accreditation or obtain with 1 year of hire.
• Over four years and up to and including eight years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Ability to complete a three (3) day course from SCDVA.

• Successfully pass pre-employment exam and extensive background investigation.

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

• Must provide a copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to verify military service and discharge status. A copy must be uploaded and attached to the employment application at the time of submission.

• All applicants tentatively selected for a position with Beaufort County Council will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for the illegal use of drugs and to a background check prior to appointment. Employment is contingent upon clearing both the drug screening and background investigation. Beaufort County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Applicants selected for this position may be subject to a credit check as part of the pre-employment screening process. Employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of all required background and screening requirements.