Veterans Service Officer I

We are seeking a dedicated Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for our Duluth, Minnesota office to assist veterans, service members, and their families in accessing the benefits and services they have earned. As a VSO you will provide expert guidance on federal, state, and local benefits, including compensation, pension, healthcare, and state benefit programs. Responsibilities include interviewing clients, preparing and submitting claims, advocating on their behalf, and connecting them with appropriate community resources. Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational skills, attention to detail and customer service skills are essential. A passion for serving veterans and their families is highly preferred.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2025. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $ $41.01 per hour.

This position is based and will work out of the Duluth, Minnesota location.

This position is part of the Civil Service Basic Unit Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing assistance to veterans and their dependents by identifying and explaining state and federal veterans benefit programs; assisting with preparing applications and case records; and serving as liaison for clients in their dealings with benefit providers. Duties include interpreting program eligibility criteria, coordinating administration of claims and assisting clients in resolving problems in the receipt of their benefit entitlements. The work is performed within the established parameters of state and federal program regulations and policies, and under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Work inside. FREQUENT: Near vision; hear within 5 feet; sit; work alone and around others; talk/speak; and customer/public contact. OCCASIONAL: Lift and carry up to 20 pounds; midrange and far vision; use fingers; grasp; stand; and clients with behavioral challenges.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Veteran as defined by Minnesota Statute. (Please refer to Minnesota Statue
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree and meet the statutory qualifications prescribed in Minn. Stat. §
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

RATING SYSTEM:

Supplemental questions will be 100% of the scoring process:

Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 13-15 & 24.

Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It's recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when you're finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• November 26, Applicant screening will begin
• Week of December 8, Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of January 5, Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at

VETERANS PREFERENCE:

If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service.
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statue for additional requirements.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS:

Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

DRUG TESTING:

Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION:

All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Appointees to the position must successfully complete a twelve-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.