VETERANS' SERVICE ASSISTANT

DEFINITION

This is paraprofessional work in counseling military veterans and assisting them with benefit claims.

An employee in this class assists in the management of a field office. Work includes assisting and advising veterans, their widows, widowers and dependents in routine claims for benefits with the Veterans Administration. Duties include studying and explaining State and Federal veterans legislation, regulations and procedures; consulting with hospital personnel about specific benefits to which hospitalized veterans may be entitled; and preparing and presenting veterans' benefit claims. Work may be distinguished from that of a Veterans' Service Officer by the degree of independence with which work is performed, by the level of professional skill and competence achieved and/or by the variety of duties which may be assigned. Work is performed under general supervision and is reviewed through conferences and reports for achievement of desired results.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Interviews veterans and dependents of veterans; investigates applicants' military, social and medical history to gather accurate and pertinent information.

Prepares and types necessary claim forms for veterans’ benefits, such as pensions, insurance, hospitalization and education.

Corresponds and consults with Veterans' Service Officers and other staff members, relative to background information which may materially affect veterans’ benefit entitlements.

Consults with hospital personnel concerning specific benefits to which hospitalized veterans may be entitled and assists veterans in obtaining these benefits.

Advises veterans concerning other benefits to which they may be entitled, including social security, welfare and vocational rehabilitation.

Performs clerical and routine office duties as required.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Some knowledge of the benefits and services available to veterans and their dependents, and of the State and Federal laws and regulations governing their administration.

Some knowledge of the principles and methods of interviewing.

Some knowledge of available community resources and agencies, both public and private.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, such as personal computer, calculator and adding machine, in the preparation of forms, documents, reports and correspondence.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with veterans, their dependents, community organizations, other agencies and the general public.

Ability to analyze and interpret military, social and medical records in terms of establishing entitlement to veterans' benefits.

Ability to express ideas clearly.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Three years of clerical work above the entry-level with the Missouri Veterans’ Commission.

OR

Three years of public contact experience providing advice or assistance for obtaining veterans benefits and services. (College education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience with a maximum substitution of two years.)

(Rev. 2/1/00)