| Post Code: D717 | |
| Announcement Number: LEVA0910 | |
| Classification Number: C0799 | |
| Open: 11/16/2009 | |
| Close: 11/30/2009 | |
| Location: La Grande | |
| Availability: Full Time | |
GENERAL INFORMATION The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is a State of Oregon agency, entrusted to provide advocacy and assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors in obtaining benefits entitled them through federal, state, and local programs. The agency has offices located in Salem, Portland, Bend, Eugene, Corvallis, Ashland, La Grande and the Oregon Veterans' Home located in The Dalles, Oregon. The agency is establishing a list of qualified applicants to one limited duration full-time position located in La Grande, Oregon in the Campus Veterans' Service Officer Program, Veterans' Services Division of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. This assignment is scheduled to begin January 1, 2010 and is expected to end on or before June 30, 2011. The position is afforded a variety of benefits from a cafeteria-style benefit plan that includes employer contributions toward medical and dental coverage, participation in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP), and an optional deferred compensation plan. Please Note: The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affair's practice is to begin employees at the first pay step. However, a higher starting pay rate may be considered depending on the applicant's current salary and benefits, education, and experience. The applicable collective bargaining agreement language will determine the pay for current State of Oregon employees. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Veterans’ Service Officer acts as an advocate and represents veterans of the United State Armed Forces in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims under the laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). The position specializes in assisting veterans', their dependents and survivors in applying for and receiving education benefits they may be entitled to. The position represents claimants as a federally authorized representative to file claims and actions on behalf of veterans, their survivors and dependents to ensure they receive the maximum entitlement of benefits. The Veterans' Service Officer considers a wide range of legal, medical, occupational and other factors to develop cases based upon complicated facts: · Conducts regular program operations at the Eastern Oregon University and community colleges located in the eastern region of the state. Conducts program operations at private educational institutions as required. · Consults with education officials to determine best practices for service delivery. Provides technical advice and status reports to education officials. · Provides services and assistance to residents of Eastern Oregon Counties. Regular travel will be required. · Plans, prepares and presents cases of varying complexity, completes in-depth legal analysis and legal research and reviews case facts for legal sufficiency; reviews testimony, exhibits, and arguments to be submitted at hearings; prepares written summaries of findings and contentions; advises clients of procedural rights, prepares clients for hearings and examinations, and represents clients at personal hearings before rating boards. · Prepares written appeals to the USDVA Board of Veterans’ Appeals. · Provides information to veterans by telephone and letter regarding benefits; speaks to groups regarding veterans' benefits; provides technical advice and status reports to county veterans' services officers. · Conducts outreach programs to state institutions, nursing homes, and private homes for housebound claimants (including going into locked, maximum security wards of mental institutions and correctional facilities). TO QUALIFY Your State of Oregon employment Application form (PD 100) will be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications stated in this section. This position has two levels: Veterans' Service Officer- Entry (C0798) and Veterans' Service Officer (C0799). We encourage candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for Veterans' Service Officer- Entry to apply as we may consider filling the position at the lower level until the selected candidate meets the minimum qualifications for the Veterans' Service Officer level. Please note the starting salary for the entry level will be lower ($2585 - $3547). Please indicate on your State of Oregon Employment application (PD100) which level you are applying for: Veterans' SERVICE OFFICER – ENTRY (C0798), Salary $2585-$3547 monthly: · Three (3) years of experience interpreting and explaining programs, benefits or services; including interviewing individuals to obtain personal or technical information and processing claims to obtain benefits; OR · Three (3) years experience preparing, developing, and/or presenting cases before an administrative hearing or preparing written administrative hearing or preparing written administrative decisions; OR · A Bachelor’s degree in health or social sciences, Business Administration, Law, Education or a related field. To receive credit for the required degree and /or related coursework you must include a copy of your college transcripts and list your education information in the “Licensing/ Registration/Exam” section of the PD100. veterans' SERVICE OFFICER (C0799), Salary $3086-$4286 monthly: · Two (2) years of experience in a local, state, or federal government Veteran's program consulting with veterans providing technical assistance, representation, and advocacy, developing and/or presenting cases before an administrative hearing or preparing written administrative decisions; AND · A Bachelor’s degree in health or social sciences, Business Administration, Law, Education, or a related field; OR · Five (5) years of experience in a local, state, or federal government Veteran's program consulting with veterans providing technical assistance, representation, and advocacy, developing and/or presenting cases before an administrative hearing or preparing written administrative decisions; · One year of experience as an accredited representative of the USDVA as a Veterans Service Officer, County Veterans Service Officer, National Veterans Service Officer may substitute for one year of the required experience. To receive credit for the substitution of accreditation for the one (1) year of the required experience you must include the date of your accreditation exam in the “Licensing/Registration/Exam” section of the PD100. Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. Conditions of Employment Employment in this position is contingent upon passing a fingerprint-based criminal history background check through the Law Enforcement Data System and driving record check through the Driver and Motor Vehicles system. Conviction of a crime will not automatically disqualify an individual from employment. The employee will undergo a course of study to obtain accreditation through the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (USDVA). The employee must be able to obtain accreditation through the USDVA within 6 months of hire. IF YOU QUALIFY, SEE “DESIRED ATTRIBUTES” section of this announcement. WORKING CONDITIONS Daily office hours are projected to be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. A flexible work schedule may be required to meet program needs, including occasional evening and weekend work. Travel by motor vehicle is required and may involve infrequent overnight stays. The position is required to have and maintain a valid motor vehicle driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. The position interviews, counsels and represents veterans’, their dependents and survivors in state and federal institutions (including correctional facilities), nursing homes, and foster care homes. May have occasional contact with hostile individuals, with possible exposure to threats of bodily harm or property damage. For budgetary reasons, the State of Oregon requires employees to take mandatory unpaid furlough days through the end of the current biennium. The incumbent to this position may be required to take as many as 11 unpaid furlough days by June 30, 2011. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES The following desired attributes are important to the success of the position. In applying for this position please attach a cover letter addressing the desired attributes below. Qualified candidates whose professional experience and background most closely match the requirements and desirable attributes will be offered the opportunity for an interview: · Experience communicating orally and in writing with diverse individuals to explain laws, rules and policies regarding benefits or services. · Experience presenting facts to support a decision or point of view before a hearings officer, board, commission, court, or other public body. · Legal support experience such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records or researching legal information. · Proficient in the use of electronic equipment, including laptop computer, fax machine and cell phone while conducting mobile operations. VETERANS PREFERENCE Veterans Preference Points are awarded to eligible veterans seeking employment with the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. Veterans must provide appropriate documentation to qualify for these additional preference points and must submit the documentation with each application. Required documentation must include: · A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference; OR · A copy of the DD214/215 and a public employment preference letter from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs for the ten (10) point preference. Further information on veterans' preference in employment is available on the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs website: www.oregon.gov/ODVA/HireVetsFirst.shtml. APPLICATIONS Submit the completed State of Oregon application form (PD100) indicating positions you have held, organizations for which you have worked, complete dates of your employment, and a detailed description of your duties and level of responsibility. Include a cover letter of no more than three pages clearly describing how you believe you’ve developed and demonstrated the above desired attributes. You may obtain copies of the PD100 application from: · The State's Jobs Page: www.oregonjobs.org · Most state agency personnel offices · Local Oregon Employment Department field offices If you have a disability and need an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call TTY (503) 373-2217 at ODVA between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please be prepared to leave a message describing the alternate format needed. SEND OR DELIVER YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Human Resources Office
700 Summer St. NESalem, Oregon 97301-1285 You may FAX, if necessary, to (503) 373-2285. Your completed and legible application materials MUST be received by 5 p.m. on the close date of this announcement. H.I.R.E. system participants interested in being considered for this position must follow the HOW TO APPLY instructions listed in this announcement. The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs is not responsible for material that is illegible or missing as a result of transmitting by FAX, or that may be lost in the mail. AFTER your application materials have been reviewed, you will be sent a notice by mail advising: a) if your application was accepted, or b) if your application was not accepted. If you don’t agree with the results, you may request a review. Review requests must be submitted in writing and must be received within 10 days from the date of the notice. Additional information cannot be accepted. However, if your application was not accepted and if the recruitment is still open, you may submit a new application as long as it’s received in our office by the close date. SUBMIT only the required materials. Reference letters or work examples should be kept for interviews. KEEP a copy of your application materials for job interviews. COPIES ARE NOT PROVIDED. The pay on all announcements may change without notice. APPLICATION materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the close date. Due to the volume of applications received, ODVA cannot confirm receipt of applications. THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER | |
