Veterans Services Officer, DMVA

If you are passionate about improving the lives of veterans and their families, consider becoming a Veteran Services Officer with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) in our Lickdale Outreach Center, Jonestown. In this role, you will work closely with veterans and dedicated advocates to meet their needs and provide crucial support and guidance through outreach, intake, and counseling. By offering your expertise and assistance in accessing essential benefits, you will play a vital role in positively impacting the lives of those who have served our country. If you are dedicated to advocating for veterans and their well-being, this is an ideal opportunity for you!

Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

This position plays a key part in helping Pennsylvania veterans and their beneficiaries understand and access important benefits. It supports statewide outreach efforts and provides direct assistance at the Fort Indiantown Gap office to support and serve veterans by guiding them through the process of filing and submitting for benefits. As a Veterans Services Officer, you will perform the following duties:

• Benefit Guidance: Explain eligibility requirements, and available state benefit programs to veterans and beneficiaries
• Claim Support: Gather needed information from claimants and respond to questions about claims and the claims process
• Outreach Assistance: Travel with the outreach team to conduct claims intake and share information about state and federal benefits
• Event Preparation: Help plan and prepare for outreach trips by arranging logistics and organizing schedules
• Program Coordination: Communicate with county directors, service organizations, and partners to support military service verification activities
• Record Research: Search official databases to confirm military service details and character of service

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 45-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, 5 days out of 10 days in a pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Jonestown. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Veterans Services Specialist, DMVA (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Five years of experience in analyzing and determining individuals' eligibility for public benefits or services programs; or
• One year of experience in analyzing and determining individuals' eligibility for public benefits or services programs and a bachelor's degree in human services, business administration, public administration, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements:

• All positions in this job are required to possess valid accreditation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a veterans service officer or eligibility for accreditation within one year from the date of employment.

Additional Requirements:

• You must possess a valid federal or state-issued photo ID and pass a favorable NCIC screening for admittance to Fort Indiantown Gap.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience with veterans benefits and services programs
• Experience in identifying available or potential resources that can provide veterans with services
• Experience using data to determine benefits eligibility
• Experience identifying and promoting veteran benefits and services to the public, community partners and federal, state, and local providers through formal or informal meetings, events, consultations and speaking engagements
• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania non-commercial class C driver's license or equivalent
• Willingness to travel which may require overnight stays on short notice
• Experience in marketing and planning shows and working with exhibitions
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques used to gather information for public assistance programs and their eligibility requirements
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.