VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER 2  
  DEFINITION:
        Under direction of a Veterans' Service Officer 1 or other   supervisory official in the Division of Veterans' Loans, Grants, and   Services, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, acts as   primary regional support assistant in the development, implementation,   and evaluation of social services programs for veterans and their   dependents; performs veterans claims adjudication and other related   duties as required.
  EXAMPLES OF WORK:
        Coordinates the delivery of social service activities performed by   health care providers and community service agencies; conducts outreach   to ensure effective working relationships with these resources for the   delivery of health care, counseling, and transportation services to   veterans and their families.
       Investigates the eligibility of potential clients, as well as   potential sponsors; provides assistance and support services to clients   during the intake process.
       Advises and assists veterans and/or their family members in filing   initial claims for state and federal entitlements/benefits;   investigates ways to enhance the possibility of approval by the U.S.   Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and assists with appeals of   adverse adjudications on a regionwide basis.
       Reviews claims for veterans' entitlements and benefits prior to   final submission to the DVA; may act as the "attorney of fact" (i.e.,   executes power of attorney) for a veterans' claim at a hearing or   appeal before the DVA Board of Appeal or Adjudication.
       Conducts public relations activities with other governmental   agencies, community groups, public officials, social service and   veterans' organizations; maintains liaison with the aforementioned as a   means of ensuring the continuance of a regionwide resource and referral   network.
       As required, develops customized social service programs to   address the needs of veterans; conducts liaison with community agencies   as a means of developing future resources.
       Serves as assistant to the Veterans' Service Officer 1 and assumes   the duties of the latter during absences.
       Conducts liaison with the federal Office of Veterans' Affairs and   other national, state, and community agencies impacting the   administration of veterans' benefits; is responsible for case   management of entitlement claims and invokes appeal rights in response   to adverse adjudications.
       Advises and counsels veterans or their families in regard to state   and federal entitlement; provides assistance and/or referral services   in filing claims through the acquisition of evidence and supporting   documents needed to submit for approval.
       Reviews and evaluates specific claim cases; issues findings,   conclusions, and recommendations regarding options for further   appeal/action; assists in the development of revised case management   policies and procedures; ensures proper implementation of division   policy.
       Maintains community resource network for health care, counseling,   and transportation support services; advises supervisor of training   needs of regional staff in regard to community based programs.
       Prepares case management investigative reports and correspondence.
       As required, may research claims activity and current state and   federal laws pertaining to veterans' rights and entitlements and   relates these to available community resources; based on the above, may   propose procedural changes designed to enhance the ability to attain   the appropriate level of veterans' benefits, compensation, and   entitlements.
       As required, prepares technical correspondence, in the course of   official duties.
       Prepares sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of veteran   claims and benefit matters containing findings, conclusions, and   recommendations.
       Maintains essential records and files.
       May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic   and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency,   office, or related units.
   REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Six (6) years of professional program delivery experience in providing   social services assistance for the disabled or other client population which may include the investigation, analysis, and evaluation of socio- economic situations.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a master's degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Nursing, or other related areas; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
           Knowledge of the techniques of interviewing persons of varied   ages and ethnic background in order to obtain information needed to   process claims for benefits and services.
           Knowledge of investigative case management procedures required   to substantiate claims for veterans' benefits and services.
           Knowledge of the theory, principles, methods, equipment, and   modern techniques of rehabilitation systems/social service programs for   the disabled and other clients in accordance with case management   plans.
           Knowledge of the techniques of interpersonal relations.
           Knowledge of basic interviewing and counseling techniques.
           Knowledge of public relations principles and techniques.
           Ability to interact with people who are in differing   situations.
           Ability to apply theory, principles, methods, and modern   techniques of social service programs to Veterans' Services clients.
           Ability to work effectively with staff, other state agencies,   and the public.
           Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, records,   and studies.
           Ability to analyze individual and general programmatic needs   and to make recommendations based upon this analysis.
           Ability to apply federal and state laws pertaining to   veterans' rights and entitlements.
           Ability to gain the confidence and support of interviewees,   public officials, community organizations, and associates.
           Ability to present reports, claims, and/or appeals orally   and/or in writing before appropriate boards and committees.
           Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or   manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or   related units.
           Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in   English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American   Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of   communication.
           Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as   long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after   reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.  If the   accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue   hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
   CODES: 62344                       JMR               5/15/93