Department:

Health & Human Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served our country? As a Veteran Service Advocate, you will have the unique opportunity to support Veterans and their families by navigating and securing essential benefits and services. This is specialized work utilizing varying degrees of judgment and discretion. The pay starts between $21.63 - $22.25/hr, based upon related experience, and there are numerous opportunities for advancement.

Pending FY25 budget approval this position will start on or after October 5, 2024.

Make a Tangible Difference: See the direct impact of your work and be part of a mission that matters.
 

Build Lasting Bonds: Forge valuable professional connections and join a network committed to mutual support and success.
 

Elevate Your Career: Develop your expertise in a role where every day is an opportunity to grow and make an impact.
 
Join Us Today and be the Change! Your career with purpose awaits. Apply now to make a lasting difference and help shape a brighter future for our Veterans and their families.

About the Position

In this role you will provide expert guidance and advocacy to Veterans, and their dependents, in filing claims for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits. Duties/tasks are frequently non-routine. In general, work assignments at this level may include, but are not limited to...

Interview, counsel, and assist Veterans and their dependents in applying for compensation, disability claims, pensions, death benefits, medical care, insurance, education assistance, loans, rehabilitation, and other state and federal veteran’s benefits.

Promote Caregiver programs for the assistance and care of Veterans.

Resolve inquiries and concerns, referring more complex issues to higher levels. (Claims involving complex legal and medical issues are expertly completed and filed with the Veterans Administration.)

Assist Veterans and their dependents in originating and promulgating appeals with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Act as the claimant advocate and guide the claimant through the legal aspects in each stage of the claim process; answering inquiries as to the status of claims, reasons and basis for denials, and level of benefits granted.

Provide answers to general Veteran’s benefits eligibility requirements.

Support awareness for Veteran Suicide Prevention and promote Veterans' mental health initiatives.

Participate in briefings and seminars concerning Veterans Benefits to a variety of clients with diverse backgrounds.

Make field visits to homebound applicants to initiate or follow-up on claims in progress.

Maintain liaison with other agencies and organizations involved with Veterans (i.e.: VA, FDVA, etc.) and conducts presentations before civic and Veteran’s organizations regarding Veteran’s benefits.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.

About You

To qualify for this position you must be a Veteran (or the surviving spouse of any such Veteran) and meet the requirements in title 38, U.S. Code and Florida Statue 292.11 applicable to Florida County Veteran Service Officers.

In addition, please review the Minimum Qualifications below:

Associates Degree and two (2) years of experience involving client interviewing, counseling, and/or related work experience.

- OR - Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.

- OR - Honorable retirement from a branch of Armed Forces after 20 years of service.

- OR - The department may also consider administrative experience where the individual has obtained and demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position.

Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

Preferred ("Bonus") Qualifications:

Prior experience directly related to Veterans benefits eligibility.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $21.63 - $22.25/hr, based upon related experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.