Full Text
Director of Veterans Services Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Non-competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 8/5/09; 4/22/10; 11/01/22 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 County Administrator and the general direction of the County Legislature with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgement in carrying out the details of the work. The incumbent may exercise supervision over subordinate clerical personnel. Does related work as required. 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 County Legislature; 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; 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; ---PAGE BREAK--- Director of Veterans Services Page 2 I 2 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: 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 year of experience assisting individuals in resolving financial, employment or benefit claims problems; OR Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and four years experience as defined in OR An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of and NOTE: Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 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.” Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license is required. Failure to maintain a NYS driver’s license including driving privileges throughout employment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.