Location: Comanche,OK, USA
Job Posting Title
Veterans Affairs Fld Svcs Repr I
Agency
650 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Supervisory Organization
ODVA - Claims & Benefits
Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)
December 25, 2024
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Job Description
Veterans Affairs Field Services Representative I
This position is for an Itinerant VSR for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs - Claims & Benefits Division - Southwest Region.
This position will be required to travel to Commanche, Tillman, Jackson and Kiowa counties.
* Applicant must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of the counties above.
Basic Purpose
Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the coordination of benefits and other related services for eligible veterans and their dependents and as legal representative/Power of Attorney on their behalf before U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) federal boards. Serves as an advocate for veterans in order to maximize services and benefits for eligible veterans and their families in a designated geographical area. Serves as a liaison to other federal and state agencies in matters related to veterans services and benefits.
Typical Functions
* Interviews veterans and families assessing their needs and eligibility as related to receipt of state and federal benefits in the areas of medical treatment, disability compensation, insurance, pension, debt management, education, training, and rehabilitation.
* Performs case management duties throughout the processes of assessment, researching information, compiling reports, filing claims, formulating appeals, and obtaining benefits; interprets laws, rules, regulations and procedures and provides assistance in the completion of required forms; counsels and assists clients in utilization of appropriate resources, identifies deficiencies and develops a strategy to initiate actions necessary to obtain maximum benefits; advises clients of documentation required to support benefit claims; and makes referrals to other agencies and resources.
* Reviews rating board decisions insuring compliance with Title 38 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations; determines if appeal is warranted; initiates the appeal process by preparing a written brief outlining the basis of disagreement; and obtains client's Power of Attorney to utilize as necessary.
* Prepares financial statements and interprets the correlation of Social Security, military retirement, other income and net worth affecting USDVA pension and compensation; assists clients in dealing with USDVA Debt Management Agency; prepares financial reports to support client's request for waiver, postponement, compromise offers, or repayment plan for benefit overpayments.
* Independently reviews client USDVA files, evaluates evidence including veterans' service and post-service medical records, as well as service histories; researches laws, regulations, policies and case law/precedent decisions from USDVA Board of Veterans Appeals and US Court of Veterans Appeals to prepare for hearings; and writes appellant briefs on issues that were previously adjudicated at a lower level.
* Acts as claimant's legal representative during informal hearings before USDVA decision review officers, formal hearings before USDVA administrative hearing officers and Board of Veterans Appeals administrative law judges; presents oral arguments during hearings; obtains sworn testimony during formal hearings through a series of questions that are supportive of the issues on appeal.
* Plans/develops curriculum, conducts and coordinates training seminars and certification training for veteran's service organization's service officers, entry level VA Field Representatives and others as requested.
* Develops, maintains, and coordinates comprehensive veterans outreach and public information programs including certification through Veterans Affairs Regional Office. Serves as agency liaison and guest speaker at civic functions.
Level Descriptor
This is the basic level of this job family where employees perform entry level tasks to build their skills in the processing of claims and services based on federal and state laws and regulations to insure the entitlement and receipt of appropriate benefits and in counseling veterans and their dependents concerning benefits and services. Under close supervision, limited responsibility may be assigned for preparation of written briefs outlining evidence supportive of issues under appellant review or assignment as representative of veteran/client before decision review officers, administrative hearing officers, and administrative law judges.
Education and Experience
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of work experience in the military or veterans' programs for each year of the required education.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations pertaining to veterans benefits and programs; of Social Security, Worker's Compensation and other rules, policies and programs that affect veterans benefits; of benefit counseling and interviewing techniques; and of common adjustment problems experienced by veterans. Ability to independently research laws, regulations, policies and precedent decisions for appellant cases; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to follow written and oral instructions; to use various software and agency specific computer programs; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Special Requirements
Applicants for these positions must be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, discharged under honorable conditions, and eligible for veteran's placement under the Civil Service rules. Applicants applying for Level I must obtain accreditation by a veterans' service organization, which has been certified by the USDVA, within six months of employment.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.