Veterans Benefits Counselor

DEPARMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES

For Veterans and those who care for them.

VETERANS BENEFITS COUNSELOR

Job Location:

Address:  
Central Arizona Region
Applicants must be located within a 50-mile radius of Wenden, Arizona 

Posting Details:

Salary: $21.2274/hourly 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open Until Filled 

Job Summary:

While this is a remote opportunity, the Veterans Benefits Counselor in this role must live within 50 miles of Wenden, Arizona.

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Veterans thrive? At the Arizona Department of Veterans Services (AZDVS), we are committed to serving and honoring Veterans, Service Members, and their families by ensuring that they receive the highest quality services so that they can thrive for a lifetime!

We are looking for an outstanding Veterans Benefits Counselor (VBC).

Your rewards:
• Incomparable Benefits: Our program provides the opportunity to receive a pension and healthcare benefits for a lifetime
• Meaningful Work: Your dedication as a VBC will directly enhance the lives of veterans and their family members, providing them with the care and respect that they deserve.
• Professional Growth: As a VBC, you will have the opportunity to engage in continuous learning and improvement through the Arizona Management System (AMS).

Your contribution:
• Outstanding Service: Provide the best assistance to veterans to improve their quality of life.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in facility meetings, training sessions, and the implementation of the Arizona Management System (AMS) to achieve continuous improvement and efficiency
• Team Collaboration: Work with other professionals to become a benefits subject matter expert (SME) while improving your knowledge, skills, and abilities

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

• Trains and becomes accredited by the VA within six months of hire
• Conducts in person or virtual interviews and counsels clients regarding a variety of veteran related benefit entitlements under current federal and state law
• Assists clients with accurately completing benefit forms, gathering supporting documents and submitting to the VA in a timely manner
• Monitors the claim through the VA process utilizing VA and other computer databases
• Reviews claim files after a VA rating action to determine VA's compliance with current laws, rules and regulations as outlined in U.S. Court of
• Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decisions, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, and other federal resources
• Examines medical information including, but not limited to service medical records (SMR's), physical examinations, hospital reports, and post-operative reports, and compares the degree of residual disability with VA assignment for accuracy
• Initiates formal appellant proceedings and/or otherwise advises claimants to take specific action to obtain a proper rating, as necessary.
• Creates and maintains electronic client records and uploads documents into client files
• Prepares reports as requested by supervisor
• Attends all required education and training to obtain and maintain accreditation
• Attends meetings with various VA and State personnel to keep abreast of policy changes and to offer input for process improvements
• Participates in community outreach activities to engage service members, veterans, their family members, and citizens to disseminate information and offer agency services and referrals. Driving on state business with occasional over night or longer stays may be required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Interviewing/counseling techniques
• Community resources for veteran referrals
• Needs and problems of disabled and disadvantaged veterans
• Judicial matters (appeals, hearings) as they relate to the VA
• Business English, including proper use of spelling and grammar

Skill in:

• Effective written and verbal communications
• Planning, organizing, and time management
• Using a laptop computer and associated software( e.g. Google Suites, email, etc.)
• Composing general correspondence, including proper formatting

Ability to:

• Learn and apply Title 38 U.S.C. and Veterans Administration regulations and manuals, policies and procedures to claims
• Learn and apply other federal, state and local programs, as well as military specific programs to claims
• Provide quality customer service
• Be patient and compassionate when interacting with clients and staff
• Learn proprietary database programs pertinent to assignment
• Speak professionally in the community regarding agency services and promote public interest
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work independently with minimal supervision

Selective Preference(s):

Due to the nature of the position, preference will be given to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have a military discharge under honorable conditions.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain accreditation by the VA and certified proficient by the Arizona Department of Veterans Services within six (6) months from the date of hire, and thereafter obtain accreditation with the American Legion. Accreditation must be maintained through continuing education classes and conferences. Recertification is required every five (5) years.
  
• The position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain an acceptable driving record and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11.)
• This position requires the ability to pass an extensive background investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the ability to obtain a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card through the VA.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Veterans Services offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Paul Sharp at recruiting@azdvs.gov (602) 781-7032 for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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