Veterans' Benefits Counselor

Recruitment #18-443030-01

Introduction

Department of Veteran's Services - Servicing those that served in the Armed Forces

It is the mission of the Department of Veteran's Services to provide counseling and assistance to, and act as an advocate for, veterans, their dependents, and their survivors, relative to federal, state, and local benefit programs based on military service.

To learn more about the Department of Veteran's Services, please visit:  www.solanocounty.com

The Position

The Veterans' Benefits Counselor will  assist veterans and their dependents in understanding and obtaining benefits provided by Federal and State laws and regulations.  In addition to interpreting Federal and State laws for recipients; the Veteran's Benefits Counselor will interview, counsel, and preparing all documents to file claims for veterans benefits and entitlements for veterans, dependents and beneficiaries of veterans.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur or the need arises.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

One (1) year of experience in the area of Veterans’ Benefits Counseling, which included completing and processing forms or applications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license is required.  

In accordance with title 39, Code of Federal Regulations 14.629, all persons appointed to this class are required to obtain accreditation with the State of California Department of Veterans Affairs within six (6) months of appointment to this class.  Failure to successfully obtain this accreditation may be cause for disciplinary action. 

To view the job description for this position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16039

 

BENEFITS

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2018 calendar year is $1,520.73 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.   

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.  

The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.    

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years.

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.

To review complete benefits information, please visit:http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16512  

 Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Paid Time Off for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit: 
http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16516

 

Selection Process

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g., degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office,  and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (e.g., copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) from prior recruitments will not be applied to this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Document Submittal Requirements

No education verification is required for this position.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, or by fax to (707) 784-3424 or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Veterans' Benefits Counselor) and the recruitment number (18-443030-01).  When submitting documents via email, include the recruitment title and number in the subject field. 

Supplemental Questionnaire

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

  1. Describe your experience interviewing people for the purpose of gathering information to complete VA Claim forms.  Please include any specific experience related to obtaining information on their experiences and personal health conditions that could lead to filing a claim with the VA.  
  2. Describe your experience completing Veterans benefits and/or medical forms.
  3. Describe your experience communicating with social services and/or other support agencies to obtain information on behalf of a Veteran.  

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons. 
 
Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score.  Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score.  Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations

 

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://webstartadmin/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6664.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

 

 

Solano County

Click here to take a video tour of Solano County

The County of Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

Solano County is centrally located and serves as a gateway to all that Northern California has to offer. The Napa Valley is less than 20 miles away, two world-class public universities (UC Berkeley and UC Davis) are 20 miles away, and both San Francisco and Sacramento are less than 40 minutes away. Day trips can also be made to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (January 2016): 431,498

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.  

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER