<p>Introduction</p> <p>The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is seeking to hire a Veterans Services Officer in the Office of Advocacy and Assistance.</p> <p>WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU</p> <ul> <li>Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! </li><li>Professional growth and development opportunities </li><li>A healthy work/life balance to all employees </li></ul> <p>ABOUT US</p> <p>The mission of the Connecticut DVA is to assist Connecticut's veterans, across the spectrum of need, to ensure each veteran and eligible family member receives the benefits and services they earned.</p> <p>For over 140 years, the Connecticut DVA has been caring for its veterans and their dependents. As a department, we are a team of dedicated individuals who support our veterans, and we believe in "Serving Those Who Served."</p> <p>POSITION HIGHLIGHTS</p> <ul> <li> <p>Schedule:</p> </li><li> <p>Monday - Friday</p> </li><li> <p>Full-time (40 hours per week)</p> </li><li> <p>First shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)</p> </li><li> <p>Location: Norwich, CT</p> </li><li> <p>Office/On-site work environment</p> </li></ul> <p>Selection Plan</p> <p>FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:</p> <p>Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.</p> <p>BEFORE YOU APPLY:</p> <ul> <li>Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. </li><li>Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. </li><li>Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. </li><li>Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. </li><li>Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. </li><li>Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. </li><li>Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. </li></ul> <p>AFTER YOU APPLY:</p> <ul> <li>Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). </li><li>Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! </li><li>Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks. </li><li>The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. </li><li>Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. </li></ul> <p>QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:</p> <p>Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov.</p> <p>Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!</p> <p>PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)</p> <p>In the Department of Veterans Affairs this class is accountable for independently providing a full range of information and assistance services to veterans, their spouses or eligible dependents regarding veterans benefits.</p> <p>EXAMPLES OF DUTIES</p> <ul> <li>Prepares, submits and monitors action on veteran's claims for disability, pension, education and burial benefits; </li><li>Attends hearings and may represent veteran before administrative review bodies in regard to veteran benefit issues; </li><li>Acts as an advocate for veterans, their spouses and dependents eligible to receive a full range of veterans benefits; </li><li>Interviews, counsels and advises veterans regarding available benefits and services; </li><li>Conducts outreach program to veterans, their spouses and dependents through visits to nursing homes, convalescent homes, hospitals and home visits; </li><li>Works to develop an information library concerning services and resources available to veterans; </li><li>Acts as a liaison with service providers and recipients; </li><li>Researches information on provider facilities to service recipients; </li><li>Assists in setting up screening appointments and provides transportation as necessary; </li><li>Monitors providers to determine need for referral or further diagnosis; </li><li>Advises veterans of services available regarding employment and reemployment services; </li><li>Provides information on federal and state education programs to veterans and their families; </li><li>May serve as department representative on community wide committees involved in veterans issues; </li><li>May do some public speaking; </li><li>Performs related duties as required. </li></ul> <p>KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY</p> <ul> <li> <p>Knowledge of</p> </li><li> <p>relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;</p> </li><li> <p>economic, social, medical, environmental, psychological and emotional factors which influence attitudes, behavior and health of veterans and their families;</p> </li><li> <p>Considerable</p> </li><li> <p>interpersonal skills;</p> </li><li> <p>oral and written communication skills;</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to</p> </li><li> <p>coordinate available support and social services including veterans community resources;</p> </li><li> <p>interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;</p> </li><li> <p>interpret and apply complicated technical materials;</p> </li><li> <p>collect statistical data.</p> </li></ul> <p>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE</p> <p>Three (3) years of technical experience in assisting clients in finding, qualifying for, applying for, or delivering social or health care service programs involving direct client contact.</p> <p>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED</p> <ul> <li>College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of three (3) years. </li><li>Current or previous accreditation as a Veterans Service Officer by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, may be substituted for the General Experience, except when accreditation was withdrawn for cause. </li><li>Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience. </li></ul> <p>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS</p> <ul> <li>Experience reviewing and processing applications </li><li>Experience reviewing and processing claims for benefits </li><li>Experience interviewing prospective clients to determine eligibility, needs, and qualification for services </li><li>Experience researching, interpreting, and applying complex state and federal law, regulations, and policies </li><li>Experience conducting public outreach events to inform potential clients on the availability of services and benefits </li></ul> <p>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS</p> <ul> <li> <p>Incumbents in this class must satisfy one of the following:</p> </li><li> <p>served in time of war for at least ninety (90) days, unless separated from service earlier because of a service connected disability.</p> </li><li> <p>received an honorable discharge from or been released under honorable conditions from active service in the Armed Forces as defined in accordance with Section 27-103 of the Connecticut General Statutes.</p> </li><li> <p>been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the armed forces.</p> </li><li> <p>Incumbents in this class will be required to complete a course in veterans benefits within one (1) year of employment and must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.</p> </li><li> <p>Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.</p> </li></ul> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER</p> <p>The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.</p> <p>ACKNOWLEDGEMENT</p> <p>As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.</p>