Veterans' Services Officer

Portland , Maine , United States | Management & Supervisory | Full-time

Apply by: May 17, 2024

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Department of Defense, Veterans' and Emergency Management - Maine Bureau of Veterans' ServicesJob Class Code:0831

Grade: 25 (Supervisory)

Salary: $55,744 - $75,691

Location: Portland, MEOpening Date: May 3, 2024Closing Date: May 17, 2024

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services is excited to be hiring for a Southern Maine Veterans Services Officer (VSO)! This is your chance to join a dynamic team of professionals that support Maine veterans and their dependents across the state to attain all possible state and federal veteran, as well as survivor benefits. If you are a veteran looking to help other veterans, then the Mobile South VSO is the position for you!

The primary purpose of this position is to provide personalized, local service to veterans and their dependents in obtaining state and federal benefits based out of our Portland Field Office.

The VSO is professional services work that involves advocating, advising, and assisting veterans and their families in securing all possible entitlements, other benefits, and services to which they may be entitled under state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. In this position, the individual will potentially assist veterans with claims involving issues of a sensitive nature, such as military sexual and/or personal trauma, and promote the use of VA benefits, programs, and services. This position requires extensive travel throughout central and southern Maine.

State of Maine & US Department of VeteraApplicants must be a veteran as defined by 38 United States Code, Section 101 (2), who were separated with an honorable discharge. Proof of Veterans Status (DD Form 214) must accompany the application. The DD Form 214 must include the “Character of Service.”

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of basic supervisory techniques and office management practices.

• Knowledge of various assistance agencies and services available to veterans and their dependents.

• Ability to prepare and maintain records within client management software.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, managers, and the public.

• Ability to deal effectively and compassionately with victims of trauma and or depressed clients, including those with mental disorders or with chemical dependency.

• Ability to conduct interviews with veterans and obtain information pertinent to Veterans' benefits.

• Ability to maintain a respectful and professional relationship with claimants, supervisors, and VA personnel.

• Ability to maintain a working relationship with veterans’ organizations, staff, volunteers, and news media; providing information regarding Bureau programs and services and performing field informational and claim visits to clients.

Minimum qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in Business /Public Administration, Human Resources, Education, a Social Services/Behavioral Science area, or related field and two (2) years experience in directly providing and/or administering benefit programs, personnel administration, or related social services/human resources work. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Applicants must have served on active duty during a federally recognized period of conflict, as defined in Section 504, Title 37B, MRSA.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

• Experience working on diverse personnel and sensitive issues is preferred.

• Experience working with federal and state veterans' benefits and services is preferred.

• Experience speaking and presenting in public is strongly preferred.

• Experience driving a truck and towing a trailer is preferred.

Licensing/registration/certification requirements:

• State of Maine & US Department of Veterans Affairs Training, Responsibility, Involvement, and Preparation (TRIP).

• National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP).

• Successful completion of fingerprinting and Federal background check.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Jaime Robichaud atJaime.robichaud@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.21% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for anextensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from theOffice of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.