Jurisdiction:
Jurisdictional Class:
Non-competitive
Adopted: 10/20/05
Revised: 8/5/09; 4/22/10
DIRECTOR OF VETERANS SERVICES
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The work
involves responsibility for planning and directing the overall activities of
the Office of Veterans Services. The incumbent
assists veterans and their dependents in obtaining information, benefits, and
services to which they are entitled by law.
The work is performed under the administrative direction of the
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)
Counsels, advises and assists veterans and their families regarding rights and benefits under Federal, State and local rules and regulations;
Assists veterans, active service members and interested parties with the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the armed forces and all Federal, State and county agencies;
Utilizes Veterans Information Management System database in preparation and submission of veterans’ claims;
Arranges for home care, hospitalization and nursing home care of veterans, including transportation, as needed;
Assists in arranging transportation for veterans suffering from incapacitation or mental incompetency to hospitals and institutions;
Cooperates with other county departments to assist veterans and dependents;
Contacts various Federal and State agencies regarding claims and benefits for veterans and their dependents;
Monitors legislation, regulations and procedures concerning veterans’ affairs;
Prepares press releases for local news agencies by reviewing, analyzing, and commenting on legislation and directives regarding veterans’ affairs;
Prepares budget
for submission to the
Composes correspondence and supervises the maintenance of veterans’ records;
Processes requests for burial flags, head stones and grave markers for veterans’ graves.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local rules and regulations related to veterans’ benefits and services;
Thorough knowledge of forms, methods, procedures and records necessary for the processing of veterans’ benefit claims;
DIRECTOR OF VETERANS SERVICES – contd. 2
Good knowledge of governmental structure and resources on the Federal, State and local level;
Working knowledge of public information and public relations techniques;
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
Ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others;
Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs;
Physical condition commensurate with demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:
(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and one (1) year of experience assisting individuals in resolving financial, employment or benefit claims problems; or
(b) Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and four (4) years experience as defined in (a); or
(c) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
(1) New York State Executive Law requires that an individual appointed as Director of Veterans Services be a veteran as defined by New York State Statute. A veteran is described as (Article 17, Section 350 Executive Law) “a person, male or female resident of this state, who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States during a war in which the United States engaged and who has been released from such service otherwise than by dishonorable discharge, or who has been furloughed to the reserve.”
(2) Possession of a valid