Description

We are excited to announce an open position for the role of Veterans Benefit Specialist 2, Full Time, Permanet, here at our beautiful Olympia Service Center, in scenic Olympia, Washington!

Please note: Expected work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to honorably discharged veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star.

This position directly supports the agency’s goals of Outreach and Access as it performs outreach and assists veterans with accessing benefits, and Exceptional Customer Service, as customer service is the primary function of this position and it is often the first point of contact that many veterans and family members have with the agency.

Bring your experience, knowledge, and passion for helping Veterans and their families, and apply today!

Duties

Some of what you'll be doing includes:

• 
  Provides direct customer service as the primary Veterans Benefits Specialist 2 at the Olympia Service Center.
• Assists veterans and family members with completing applications for Federal VA Benefits.
• Develops reviews and performs case management for complex claims such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, exposure to Agent Orange, Gulf War Exposure, and others.
• Provides Claims Support to fellow staff members who screen veterans and their family members for the Veterans Benefits.
• Responds to incoming referrals and inquiries to WDVA via the internet, e-mail, telephone, and mail. Handles and processes incoming mail.
• Serves as primary for WDVA benefits email box.
• Interact with a network of service providers such as the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Employment Security Department, and others.
• Supports community outreach events.
• And more!

Qualifications

Required:

• Two years of experience as a Veterans Benefit Specialist 1 in state service.

• A Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, counseling, social science or closely allied field, and one year of experience providing benefits information, claims or employment assistance to veterans and their family members

Please Note: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for education

Preferred/Desired:

• Certified and/or accredited Veteran Service Organization Representative.
• At least 2 years’ professional experience working with military service members and/or veterans assisting them in seeking assistance with veterans benefits and/or social services.

Supplemental Information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:
The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• 
  State employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified at New Employee Orientation.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. The successful hire must be able to pass a criminal background check in order to be granted access to federal VA and DOD information systems.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information please contact us at: recruiters@dva.wa.gov.
Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact Nathaniel at recruiters@dva.wa.gov .