VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER - PROGRAM SPECIALIST - PART TIME

Job Description:

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER - PROGRAM SPECIALIST - PART TIME

Description

OVERVIEW

This is an outstanding opportunity for a mission-driven professional to play a vital role in supporting veterans, service members, and their families by ensuring access to the benefits they have earned through service. Serving as a trusted advocate and liaison, this position directly impacts the quality of life for veterans by guiding them through complex federal, state, and local Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit systems.

In this role, you will work at the intersection of public service, advocacy, and community partnership-collaborating with nonprofit organizations such as DAV, VFW, and the American Legion, as well as government entities. This position offers a meaningful career path for individuals passionate about service, social impact, and navigating complex regulatory systems while making a lasting difference in the veteran community.

You will join a role that blends hands-on client interaction with technical expertise and advocacy, offering both professional growth and the opportunity to serve as a critical resource for veterans and their families across the community.

As the Veterans Services Officer, you will:

• Educate and guide veterans and their families on available federal, state, and local benefits, including healthcare, education, housing, employment, pensions, disability compensation, and burial benefits.
• Lead claims assistance efforts by preparing, filing, monitoring, and tracking disability, pension, and survivor benefit claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Gather and analyze evidence by collecting medical records, service documentation, and supporting materials required to substantiate claims.
• Advocate on behalf of veterans by serving as a county liaison to the VA and representing clients throughout the claims and benefits process.
• Navigate appeals processes by assisting veterans with denied claims and preparing documentation for appeals submissions.
• Connect veterans to resources by linking individuals to community-based services, nonprofit organizations, job fairs, and support programs.
• Conduct client interviews with veterans and family members to gather detailed information necessary for claims development and benefit eligibility.
• Prepare and process claims by drafting and submitting benefits applications and disability rating claims in compliance with VA regulations.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, standards, and applicable regulations while performing additional duties as assigned.

What you bring:
Professional and Education Credentials: Associate's degree in social service, human services, or closely related field AND two years of experience working with Veteran's to gather evidence and information in processing claims. Relevant work experience demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for educational requirements. Work experience is essential and cannot be replaced by additional education.
Communication/Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong Interviewing Skills: Ability to conduct compassionate, thorough interviews with veterans and family members to accurately gather sensitive personal, medical, and service-related information.
• Clear Written Communication: Capable of drafting concise, accurate claim narratives, correspondence, and supporting statements for submission to the VA.
• Advocacy and Trust-Building: Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and cultural competence when working with veterans from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust during often complex and emotional processes.

Technical / Industry Background

• Knowledge of VA Systems and Regulations: Working understanding of VA disability compensation, pensions, education benefits, survivor benefits, and burial benefits is essential to ensure accurate guidance and claim preparation.
• Experience with Electronic Claims Systems and Records Management: Ability to navigate VA portals, track claims, and maintain confidential records in compliance with privacy laws (HIPAA, VA standards).

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Military Service or Veteran Affiliation: Firsthand understanding of military culture enhances rapport and credibility when assisting veterans and service members.
• Knowledge of Community Resources: Familiarity with local housing, employment services, healthcare providers, job fairs, and nonprofit resources to connect veterans with comprehensive support beyond VA benefits.
• Bilingual Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with non-English-speaking veterans and families to improve access to benefits and services.

For the complete job description:
For more information about Human Services: https://www.kitsap.gov/hs/Pages/Default%20Home%20Page%20HS.aspx

OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Non-represented and covered under the Kitsap County Personnel Manual.
• Prior to employment, the successful candidate must:
  • Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
  • Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
  • Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Information received is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration.
  • Criminal Conviction Standards: The successful incumbent will or may have unsupervised access to children under 18 years of age, a vulnerable adult, or a vulnerable person, or access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s). As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which may include fingerprinting.
• Driving Requirements
  • The successful incumbent must meet the driving requirements of this position and submit a copy a current driving record/abstract (from state of residency) to review for eligibility to drive for Kitsap County prior to employment. The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy. This position is categorized as:
    • Category 2: Driver operates a personal vehicle as an essential function for official County business.
• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.
• Work hours for this position are M-F 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, however flexibility for the program is required.
• This posting may be used to fill future openings.
• Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an ap plicant are exempt from public inspection.

At Kitsap County, we strive to take care of our team! Our employees are the greatest asset of Kitsap County, and we take pride in offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees.

County Paid Benefits Include:
Medical - Kaiser Permanente (HMO) or Aetna (PPO)
Dental - Delta Dental or Willamette
Vision - VSP
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life Insurance - Basic, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Voluntary Term Life Insurance (VTL)
Disability - Short-term disability & Long-term disability
Voya Voluntary Insurance
Transportation incentives
Employee Assistance Program
Travel Assistance Program
Wellness program
Benefits become effective on the first calendar day of the month following the month in which the employee is hired except if the employee's hire date is the first calendar day of the month, benefits begin on the day of hire. More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: https://spf.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Benefits.aspx or the Kitsap County Digital Benefits Guide .

*Voluntary benefit options also available at the employee's expense

Retirement:
Employees are covered under the PERS retirement plan provided through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and Social Security.

Deferred Compensation (IRS Plan 457b): tax-deferred savings program

Holidays
11 paid holidays and 2 additional floating holiday per year. One additional floating holiday after 10 years of service.

Vacation Leave
New employees are credited with 48 hours of annual leave upon hire and will be begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 360 hours from one calendar year to the next. Annual leave accrual will increase upon tenure, as follows:

Upon completion of 2 years: 15 days per year (10.00 hours per month)
Upon completion of 5 years: 20 days per year (13.33 hours per month)
Upon completion of 10 years: 25 days per year (16.67 hours per month)

Sick Leave
All new hires will be credited with 48 hours of sick leave upon hire and will begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 1200 hours from one calendar year to the next.

***Part-time employees benefit contributions and leave accruals will be prorated***

Current County Employees
If you are transferring or promoting into this position you are responsible for reviewing these benefit changes; prior to accepting a position. In addition, it is your responsibility to notify the Auditor's Payroll Division of a change in union status.

NOTE: This is a general overview of the benefits offered through employment with Kitsap County, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts or is incorrect with the provisions of the Personnel Manual, applicable laws, policies, rules or official plan documents they will prevail. The Personnel Manual is available at: https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Personnel-Manual-2019.aspx

Closing Date/Time: 1/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$70,636.80 - $90,355.20 Annually