<p>The Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence has been providing services and programs to older adults and their families for over 40 years.  Our mission is to enrich the lives of older adults through community connections to services, programs and resources, with a goal of ensuring that people who live in Frederick County are empowered, engaged and equipped to live their best life.  The Division seeks creative, energetic, compassionate and visionary candidates to join our diverse team of professionals who care about the well-being of Frederick County older adults.  Join our team to help further our mission and make a difference in the lives of Frederick County's fastest growing population. </p> <p>Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible; additional compensation to include branded departmental work shirts after completing their probationary period); full-time; 40 hours per week; varied schedule during the business hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with frequent variable hours including evening and weekends; full benefits</p> <p> </p> <p>This Service Navigator serves as liaison with veterans, their families, the public, government agencies, employers, and community groups. This position will develop educational programs, heighten public awareness of the unique needs and talents of veterans in Frederick County. In addition to serving as a certified Veterans Service Officer, this position will also identify available federal, state and county resources, benefits and services to address veteran specific needs and interests. The Service Navigator serves as staff to the Veterans Advisory Council (VAC). Supervision is received from the Aging & Independence Department Head, Resource & Service Navigation.</p> <p>NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.  For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.</p> <p>Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.</p> <p>TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:</p> <p>Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.  </p> <ul> <li> <p>11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment</p> </li><li> <p>15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover</p> </li><li> <p>11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)</p> </li><li> <p>Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending</p> </li><li> <p>Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care</p> </li><li> <p>100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit</p> </li><li> <p>County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan </p> </li><li> <p>Vesting after 5 years of service</p> </li><li> <p>Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.</p> </li><li> <p>Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program</p> </li><li> <p>Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program</p> </li><li> <p>Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan</p> </li></ul> <p>NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. </p> <p>For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li> <p>Plan, coordinate, direct, implement and publicize activities related to veterans</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and maintain collaborations with community organizations and County government agencies to promote the needs and skills of veterans</p> </li><li> <p>Research and monitor trends in veteran services at county, state and national levels</p> </li><li> <p>Participate in coalition building activities that address veterans needs and interests</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and maintain procedures which assure prompt, effective resolution of veterans issues and other matters referred to the department by leveraging the integration of federal, state and county resource systems</p> </li><li> <p>Act as subject matter expert for veterans issues and resources</p> </li><li> <p>Promote programs, community awareness and education around veterans needs and issues:</p> </li><li> <p>Speak to various public and private groups</p> </li><li> <p>Submit relevant, informative, and educational articles to newspapers, social media and other publications; and</p> </li><li> <p>Develop related video or other media programs</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain virtual calendar, website, and social media platforms of Veterans events across the State</p> </li><li> <p>Host VAC meetings; in person or virtual</p> </li><li> <p>Provide staff support to the VAC; develop and conduct orientation and training sessions for VAC members; assist the VAC Executive Committee in the organization and preparation of meetings and other VAC business</p> </li><li> <p>Develop, as necessary, additional resources for VAC related activities including but not limited to sponsorships and grants</p> </li><li> <p>Develop monthly and annual reports relating to activities conducted by the VAC</p> </li><li> <p>Arrange and/or participate in banquets, retreats, community functions, and various meetings and conferences</p> </li><li> <p>Participate in division-wide meetings, trainings and other activities as directed</p> </li><li> <p>In an emergency, provide staff support to division shelter and mass care, family assistance center or other duties as assigned.</p> </li><li> <p>Acting as a certified Veterans Service Officer, prepare and submit VA Benefit claims for Frederick County veterans and their families</p> </li><li> <p>Perform other related duties as required</p> </li></ul> <p>To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.</p> <p>The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  </p> <ul> <li>Associate's degree in human services, social work, public administration, or a related field.  </li><li>Minimum of 2 years of experience in family support services, social work, or a related human services field </li><li>Intermediate skills in Microsoft 365 </li><li>Possession of a valid automobile operator's license </li></ul> <p>A combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position may be considered as a substitution for the above-listed required education and experience. Additional required or preferred qualifications may apply based on operational needs, as approved by Human Resources.</p> <p>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:</p> <ul> <li>Employees in this classification are designated as Non-Essential. An Essential Employee means the employee is considered necessary for the operation of County services. Essential Employees are required to report to work in the event of a weather incident, general emergency, or disasters when County offices are closed. They may be required to work overtime with little or no advance notice and may be required to report to work in emergency situations and/or after hours.  </li><li>The position may be considered essential personnel during emergencies and may be required to work to support County operations. </li></ul> <p>KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:</p> <ul> <li>Ability to obtain and maintain National Association of County Veterans Services Officers certification, or will become certified within 12 months of date of hire </li><li>Strong and effective spoken (English) communications skills, with the ability to effectively mediate and conciliate complaints and prepare narrative and statistical reports </li><li>Ability to prepare and deliver effective, informative presentations for small and large groups concerning matters related to veterans </li><li>Ability to host meetings using WebEx and/or Microsoft Teams and utilize social media platforms </li><li>Ability to effectively organize and manage VAC functions including preparation and maintenance of statistical data and reports; etc. </li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private agencies, members of the media, and the general public </li></ul> <p>PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:</p> <ul> <li>Minimum 1 year work experience working with veterans </li><li>Secondary written and spoken language skills (Spanish or other) </li><li>Previous military experience </li></ul> <p>PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:</p> <ul> <li>While working in this position the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, reach, perform repetitive motions, and drive; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.  </li><li>While working in this position the employee is required to constantly work indoors and occasionally outdoors.  </li><li>Ability to provide own transportation to other locations, as needed </li><li>Available for varied working hours to include nights and weekends as needed to accommodate meetings and other commitments </li><li>Required certifications must be maintained throughout tenure of employment </li></ul> <p>EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):</p> <ul> <li>An evaluation of training and experience </li><li>One or more interviews </li></ul>