Veteran Benefits Operations Specialist II
: Job Details :

The mission of the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is to act as the chief advocate for the nearly 380,000 Commonwealth veterans and their families. EOVS establishes policies, proposes legislation, ensures that adequate funding for veterans programs is included in the Commonwealth's annual budget, and represents the interests of veterans in matters before the General Court. EOVS is searching for a qualified candidate to join our team as a Veteran Benefits Operations Specialist II. In this role you will coordinate and monitor the Annuity program. This will include reviewing and processing applications for veterans' benefits to determine eligibility, obtaining and verifying veteran client information, providing related information to veteran's agents and veteran clients, determining accuracy and completeness of documentation, identifying areas for further review and study, developing and submitting statistical data for quality control, conducting training of veterans' agents as required, and performing related work as required. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in the administration of the Annuities and Massachusetts Financial Assistance programs in accordance with Chapter 115, Section 6A, 6B, and 6C and the General Appropriation Act and the, to include but limited to the following: the eligibility determination of applicants, maintenance of the data base and payments of the annuities and reimbursement of benefits to cities and towns.
• Assists eligible veteran clients in obtaining assistance by helping them complete applications for such benefits as financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, or veterans' benefits; performs arithmetic computations on amounts of assistance due; encourages clients to participate in programs to which they are eligible; and completes required forms and accompanying documentation.
• Provides information to veteran clients, applicants, or other interested parties by explaining applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements, particularly MGL Chap. 115 and 108 CMR, to ensure continuing eligibility for benefits.
• Coordinates and monitors assigned annuity and benefit cases to ensure effective operations and compliance with established standards; reviews and analyzes data concerning assigned program(s) to determine progress and effectiveness. Monitors assigned benefit cases by contacting veterans' agents, veteran clients, other agencies and employers, and reviews relevant records to ensure their understanding of available benefits.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to EOVS personnel, Veterans' agents, all applicants, and the public to exchange information, resolve problems, and ensure compliance with established policies, procedures, and standards; responds to inquiries to provide information concerning EOVS benefit and annuity programs and application status.
• Approves public assistance benefits for veteran clients to ascertain individual needs for services; evaluates individual employment plans that meet the needs of the veteran clients and are consistent with department regulations and objectives; assists veterans agents in making long range and/or short range employment plans according to individual needs; and initiates and maintains communication with other agencies serving veteran clients to ensure that they are participating in employment programs until self-sufficient employment is achieved.
• P repares and maintains paperwork and electronic records on assigned cases by writing case histories; completing required forms, preparing narrative reports, and maintaining activity logs to ensure the availability of proper documentation to substantiate eligibility determinations.
• Provides on-the job training and orientation for staff; contributes to the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines to accomplish assigned program(s) objectives and goals, reviews reports, memoranda, etc., for completeness, accuracy, and content.
• Authorizes payments to veteran clients and plans and conduct audits of local veterans' agent operations by reviewing case decisions and supporting documentation to ensure efficiency and compliance with state and/or federal regulations governing financial assistance or veterans' benefits and to make recommendations for corrective action
• Prepares response letters regarding matters pertaining to the program and conducts annual recertification exercises to ensure eligibility status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing; ability to read, interpret, apply, and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing department operations and assigned unit activities; and ability to gather information through questioning and observing individuals and by examining records and documents.
• Ability to conduct interviews; to accurately record information provided orally; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence; to prepare general reports; to maintain accurate records; and to use personal computers.
• Ability to perform arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy (addition, multiplication, and division); to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures; to work accurately with names, numbers, codes, and/or symbols; to analyze and determine the applicability of veteran client data, to draw conclusions, and to make appropriate recommendations and to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to determine proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information

Qualifications Acquired on Job:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines governing department operations and assigned unit activities, particularly MGL Chap. 115, 108 CMR, and title 38 USC.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of department forms and of the referral sources available for providing services to veteran clients
• Working knowledge of New MMARS (Massachusetts Manual Account Reporting System).
• 2 Ability to input and retrieve database information.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office applications.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards arid guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the organizational structures and functions of the assigned agency.
• Knowledge of the proper procedures for making and receiving agency telephone calls.'
• Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms.

About the Executive Office of Veterans Services: On March 1, 2023, Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll established the Executive Office of Veterans Services. The office oversees programs and services for Massachusetts veterans, including Chapter 115 benefits for eligible veterans. It also manages the state's two Veterans Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea and the Memorial Cemeteries in Agawam and Winchendon. Pre-Offer Process: For BU and MI-MIV A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request FormQualifications:First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.Substitutions:I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.**Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.