VETERAN SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

THE JOB: Under direction, interviews, advises and assists veterans and their dependents in understanding and obtaining the benefits to which they are entitled under federal, state and local legislation; carries a service caseload and develops service plans which may include the need for specialized social services, provides information about available services and arranges for referral of clients to appropriate resources; perform other work as required.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified.  A typical way to obtain this would be:

Two years of experience in an agency or program administering, assisting or advocating for veteran’s benefits.  Completion of the equivalent to 30 semester units in social welfare, psychology, sociology or other behavioral science from an accredited college may be substituted for up to 6 months of the required experience.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of a course of instruction in Veteran’s Benefits as prescribed by Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 14.629. Accreditation by the California Department of Veteran’s Affairs is required within 6 months of appointment.  Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.  

Knowledge: Working knowledge of Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing veterans’ rights, benefits and obligations; problem solving techniques used to clarify or resolve discrepancies between regulatory guidelines and veterans’ claims and supportive evidence; interviewing techniques; veterans’ claims and appeal practices and procedures; community organizations and resources available to veterans and their families; social casework objectives, principles, methods and caseload management and organization.  Some knowledge of the principles of human behavior and development, psychological defense mechanisms, and stress reactions; laws, policies and administrative procedures of County social service programs; social and economic factors which may influence a veteran’s life; medical terms used in legislation, regulations and claims presentation; and addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  

Ability to: Understand, interpret and apply complex laws and regulations on the rights and benefits of veterans and their dependents are legally entitled; speak, write and interview effectively in a variety of locations and circumstances; listen attentively and ask pertinent questions; analyze and evaluate problems of individual veterans and their families and recommend effective solutions or alternatives; speak effectively before groups; prepare clear and concise correspondence and maintain records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted through the course of work; gather, record and evaluate information necessary for initial and continuing eligibility entitlements for a variety of veterans’ benefits.  

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years.  Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT  – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement.  If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.  The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer