Location: Erie,PA, USA
THE POSITION
Do you enjoy helping people and have great communications skills? The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is seeking an organized and compassionate Veterans Service Specialist to assist our veterans access benefits available to them. Become part of a team dedicated to caring for those who have proudly served our country. Apply today!
Watch this video to see how you can make a difference caring for Pennsylvania's veterans working for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
As a Regional Veterans Services Specialist, you will be responsible for analyzing circumstances of veterans and their family members to determine their needs and refer them to the best resources, benefits, or assistance programs available. Additionally, you will assist in developing new veteran service programs and marketing strategies to promote these services and additional benefit programs, events, and partnerships. You will also develop, update, and maintain the program website and event calendar.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
* Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week.
* Work hours are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, rotating days and weekends, with a 45-minute lunch.
* Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Erie.
* Schedule may change based on operational needs.
* Travel and overtime as needed.
* Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
* You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
* Four years of experience in analyzing and determining individuals' eligibility for public benefits or services programs; or
* A bachelor's degree in human services, business administration, public administration, or a related field; or
* An equivalent combination of experience and training.
* Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.
Special Requirement:
* This position requires possession of a valid Pennsylvania non-commercial class C driver's license or equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
* You must live within the Region 1 area to support these counties due to travel within the region at least three (3) days per week. Region 1 area covers the following counties: Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.
* You must possess a valid federal or state-issued photo ID and pass a favorable NCIC screening for admittance to Fort Indiantown Gap.
* You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Preferred Qualifications (not required):
* Completion of military service in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, separated under honorable conditions
* Knowledge of interviewing techniques used to gather information for public assistance programs and their eligibility requirements
* Experience identifying available or potential resources that can provide veterans with services
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
* Willing to travel which may require overnight stays on short notice
How to Apply:
* Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
* If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
* Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
* Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
Veterans:
* Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ...@pa.gov.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
* 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little extras that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
* Eligibility rules apply.
01
Do you possess a valid Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent?
* Yes
* No
02
If you answered yes, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03
How much full-time experience do you possess in analyzing and determining individuals' eligibility for public benefits or services programs?
* 4 years or more
* 3 but less than 4 years
* 2 but less than 3 years
* 1 but less than 2 years
* Less than 1 year
* None
04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
Have you completed a bachelor's degree OR are you currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and have completed at least 90 credits and are within three months of graduation? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer Yes to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information. You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
* Yes
* No
06
If you answered No to the above question, how many college credits have you completed? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
* 120 credits or more
* 90 but less than 120 credits
* 60 but less than 90 credits
* 30 but less than 60 credits
* Less than 30 credits
* None
07
If you have not completed a bachelor's degree as indicated in Question 3, but you are within three months of graduation, please provide the month and year of your anticipated graduation date. If you have already graduated, or you answered No to Question 3, type N/A in the text box below. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
08
Additional Requirement: Do you live in one of the following counties: Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, or Warren?
* Yes
* No
09
Preferred Qualification: What level of education do you have?
* Master's degree (or greater)
* Bachelor's degree Associate degree
* Some college
* High school diploma (or equivalent)
* None
10
Preferred Qualification: If you have a degree, in what field is your degree?
* Human Services
* Business Administration
* Public Administration
* A closely related field
* Another field
* I do not have a degree
11
Preferred Qualification: If you answered, a closely related field or another field , in what field is your degree? (Indicate N/A if not applicable.)
12
Preferred Qualification: Do you have experience in identifying available or potential resources that can provide veterans with services? (Check all that apply.)
* Housing Assistance Compensation or Pension Programs
* Homeless Programs
* Food Distribution Programs
* Temporary Financial Assistance Programs
* Other
* None
13
Preferred Qualification: Please list the dates and employers where you gained the experience above in determining benefits. (If none, type N/A.)
14
Preferred Qualification: Please indicate the types of data you have used to determine benefits eligibility. (Check all that apply.)
* DD214
* Income
* Disability Rating
* Other
* None
15
Preferred Qualification: How many years of experience do you have with identifying and promoting veteran benefits and services to the public, community partners, and federal, state, and local providers through formal or informal meetings, events, consultations, and speaking engagements?
* 5 years or more
* 4 but less than 5 years
* 3 but less than 4 years
* 2 but less than 3 years
* 1 but less than 2 years
* Less than 1 year
* None
16
Preferred Qualification: Please list dates and employers where you gained experience in identifying and promoting veterans' benefits and services. (If none, type N/A.)
17
Preferred Qualification: Have you completed military service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and separated under honorable conditions?
* Yes
* No
18
Preferred Qualification: Are you willing to travel which may require overnight stays on short notice?
* Yes
* No
Required Question
Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address 613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website