Address
Form of work
SalaryThe purpose of this position is to provide effective local advocacy for veterans and family members in securing state and federal benefits earned through active honorable service in the United States Military. This position is responsible for managing the department and supervising staff in the Fergus Falls and New York Mills locations.
Examples of Duties
Prepare annual department budget; monitor and approve expenditures.
Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned staff in multiple locations, handle employee concerns and problems, including disciplinary and other personnel actions.
Set department goals and objectives; establish standards and operating procedures.
Provide proactive advocacy for all veterans, their dependents or survivors, seeking local, state, and/or federal benefits or assistance.
Write applications for available state or private grants.
Ensure that staff are trained and comply all applicable data privacy laws and regulations, and security of department confidential files.
Periodically report department achievements, activities, and program status to County Board.
Advise veterans and provide guidance to governmental subdivisions regarding the application of Federal and State Veterans Preference Acts in reference to hiring, promotion, and termination.
Establish and maintain close working relationship with key personnel in county, state, and federal agencies, local veteran's organizations, congressional offices, local hospitals, and nursing homes.
Continuously disseminate information to keep the area veteran population aware of services provided by the department, and of frequent changes and revisions of state and federal benefits programs and eligibility.
Assess eligibility of individual claimants for specific programs; explain benefit criteria and options to veterans and their families; develop and consolidate evidence to support claims for service-connected disability compensation, non-service-connected disability pensions, and VA healthcare.
Provide community outreach with Veteran spheres of influence in order to inform them on programs administered by the VA, MDVA, Veteran support agencies, and the County Veterans Service Office.
May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
Per Minn. Stat. 197.601, County Veterans Service Officers must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1) a resident of the state of Minnesota.
(2) a citizen of the United States; and
(3) a veteran, as defined in Minn. Stat. 197.447.
Maintain State Department of Veteran's Affairs CVSO certification and accreditation (must obtain within one year of hire).
Must be able to pass federal background check and testing for security clearance to gain access on VA Citrix Access Gateway (CAG), Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) electronic claims processing system.
Driver's license valid in the State of Minnesota.
Qualified candidates should also possess:
Effective communication skills
Problem solving and ability to see multiple tasks through to completion
Aptitude to empathize with clients
Self-start with teamwork skills
This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 p.m. with potential for evening or weekend hours. The 2024 starting salary for this position is $57,096 annually, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $85,634.
The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalist will be required to pass a background investigation and reference check. A standard twelve month probationary period applies.
Click "apply" to apply online
When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.
Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.
Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.
Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.
Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.
Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Examples of Duties
Prepare annual department budget; monitor and approve expenditures.
Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned staff in multiple locations, handle employee concerns and problems, including disciplinary and other personnel actions.
Set department goals and objectives; establish standards and operating procedures.
Provide proactive advocacy for all veterans, their dependents or survivors, seeking local, state, and/or federal benefits or assistance.
Write applications for available state or private grants.
Ensure that staff are trained and comply all applicable data privacy laws and regulations, and security of department confidential files.
Periodically report department achievements, activities, and program status to County Board.
Advise veterans and provide guidance to governmental subdivisions regarding the application of Federal and State Veterans Preference Acts in reference to hiring, promotion, and termination.
Establish and maintain close working relationship with key personnel in county, state, and federal agencies, local veteran's organizations, congressional offices, local hospitals, and nursing homes.
Continuously disseminate information to keep the area veteran population aware of services provided by the department, and of frequent changes and revisions of state and federal benefits programs and eligibility.
Assess eligibility of individual claimants for specific programs; explain benefit criteria and options to veterans and their families; develop and consolidate evidence to support claims for service-connected disability compensation, non-service-connected disability pensions, and VA healthcare.
Provide community outreach with Veteran spheres of influence in order to inform them on programs administered by the VA, MDVA, Veteran support agencies, and the County Veterans Service Office.
May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
Per Minn. Stat. 197.601, County Veterans Service Officers must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1) a resident of the state of Minnesota.
(2) a citizen of the United States; and
(3) a veteran, as defined in Minn. Stat. 197.447.
Maintain State Department of Veteran's Affairs CVSO certification and accreditation (must obtain within one year of hire).
Must be able to pass federal background check and testing for security clearance to gain access on VA Citrix Access Gateway (CAG), Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) electronic claims processing system.
Driver's license valid in the State of Minnesota.
Qualified candidates should also possess:
Effective communication skills
Problem solving and ability to see multiple tasks through to completion
Aptitude to empathize with clients
Self-start with teamwork skills
This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 p.m. with potential for evening or weekend hours. The 2024 starting salary for this position is $57,096 annually, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $85,634.
The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalist will be required to pass a background investigation and reference check. A standard twelve month probationary period applies.
Click "apply" to apply online
When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.
Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.
Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.
Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.
Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.
Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.
Equal Opportunity Employer
