Veterans Service Manager

Job Description:

Veterans Service Manager

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa Veterans Services?
Veterans' benefits programs are important to millions of Americans. Approximately one-third of the U.S. population is potentially eligible for federal veterans' benefits. Veterans are THE reason this department exists, our common purpose, and we direct our efforts toward meeting their needs.

The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office was created to help local veterans and their families obtain veterans' benefits from federal, state, and local agencies. Since the department's inception, the Board of Supervisors has continued to recognize the need for professional veterans' advocates to provide claims assistance to the 72,000 veterans and their families who reside in this county. Because of this, we maintain the willingness to change and are flexible in our attitudes.

County Veterans Service Offices play an important role in a national veteran advocacy network. We work in concert with state employees, Veterans' service organizations, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff to secure clients' benefits. We are often the initial contact for veterans in the community. Therefore, it is important to us that our first contact with a Veteran be a positive experience. We believe that respect, integrity, trust, and fairness are the hallmarks of all our interactions, and we value a culture where everyone is involved, accountable, respected, and appreciated.

The Veterans Service Manager is responsible for managing outstation locations. This position also oversees the training program for all of the Veterans Service Representatives. If you are selected, you will play a critical role in explaining laws and regulations, making decisions on challenging cases, managing a caseload, and coaching staff.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable. Previous experience with Veterans' benefits will be an asset to this role.
• Team-oriented. You will be responsible for training a team and working side by side in collaboration with them to serve Veterans.
• A strong communicator. You will need to communicate effectively with the Veteran population and Veterans Service Representatives that you are training.
• Organized. You will need to manage a caseload effectively and ensure training modules are organized logically and presentable.
• Trustworthy. You will be handling sensitive information when you assist Veterans.
• Flexible. You will need to be able to adjust quickly in a fast-paced environment.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Managing the daily functions of the Martinez office, as well as the outstations in Richmond, Danville, Brentwood, and the virtual office.
• Overseeing a training program for Veterans Service Representatives.
• Counseling, advising, and preparing claims and appeals on behalf of clients regarding the following programs:
  • Disability/Death Compensation and Pension
  • Medical Care
  • Life Insurance
  • Education and Vocational Rehabilitation
  • College Fee Waiver Program
  • Home Loans (VA and Cal-Vet)
  • State Veteran Homes
  • Military Retirement/Survivor Programs
  • Burial Benefits
  • A variety of other ancillary benefits and services
• Networking with numerous federal, state, and local agencies on behalf of clients.
• Providing information on county veteran services to veteran and community organizations.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will make a positive impact on the lives of Veterans and their families by helping them get the services they need.
• You will work with others who are passionate about helping Veterans.
• You will be working in an environment that values respect, integrity, trust, and fairness.
• You will be an advocate for others.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will encounter Veterans who have had traumatic experiences.
• You typically have lots of interaction with others - if you like to work alone, this could be difficult.
• You will be expected to meet high standards for performance and quality of work.
• You will often need to adjust priorities to meet the changing needs of the office.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Assessing Talent: Identifying performance capabilities and potential of others
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
• Allocating Resources: Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness
• Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of State, valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling, psychology, sociology, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time professional experience providing one-on-one eligibility and counseling services to clients of state and federal programs including claim preparation and appeal assistance. Qualifying experience must include research and analysis of pertinent laws, regulations and programs.

Substitution for Education: Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution with a major in counseling, psychology, sociology, business administration, public administration or a closely related field, AND, additional 2 (two) years of professional experience providing veterans benefits counseling may be substituted for the required bachelor's degree.

Special Requirement: As a condition of employment and within the probationary period, the incumbent shall obtain United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) accreditation through the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) pursuant to Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 14.629.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience training personnel on Veterans benefits

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
Online Interview Assessment: Candidates that possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online Interview Assessment. The assessment is designed to measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Veterans Services Manager classification. Candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Decision Making, Legal and Regulatory Navigation, Professional and Technical Expertise, Displaying Ownership and Accountability, and Coaching and Developing Others. (Weighted: 100%)


Tentative Dates:

Online Interview Assessment: 7/8/2025-7/14/2025

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alex Johnson at Alex.Johnson@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 6/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$94,682.24 - $115,086.86 Annually