Veterans Claims Assistant I - The County of Los Angeles (California)
VETERANS CLAIMS ASSISTANT I
VETERANS CLAIMS ASSISTANT I
Salary
$42,047.04 - $55,057.20 Annually
Location
Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type
Full time
Department
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Job Number
R8136G-R
Closing
1/13/2021 5:00 PM Pacific
+ Description
+ Benefits
+ Questions
Position/Program Information
With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation. As the largest employer in Southern California, over 112,000 employees in more than 36 Departments provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.
APPLICATION FILING DATES:
We are accepting applications beginning December 30, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) to January 13, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
EXAM NUMBER:
R8136G-R
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
Open Competitive Job Opportunity
Why work for us?
We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. With more than 36 diverse departments and over 2,300 different job descriptions, the County offers a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans, and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate in order to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.
DEFINITION:
Assists, under close supervision, veterans and their dependents in preparation of routine claims for benefits.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
This is the entry and training level in the series. Positions allocable to this class report to the Supervisor, Veterans Claims, and receive technical direction from a Veterans Claims Assistant III. Incumbents learn to perform the more routine tasks necessary in assisting with applications and claims that are less difficult and complex in nature and spend a significant amount of time studying the laws regulations and operating procedures governing veteran's benefits. The positions must have the ability to understand rules, regulations, directives and legislation affecting veterans and establish cooperative working relationships with representatives of various Federal, State, County agencies and other public and private organizations involved in the provision of services to veterans and their wives and dependents.
Essential Job Functions
The following are the position responsibilities:
+ Interviews veterans, dependents, and their survivors by gathering basic information; asking appropriate questions; etc. in order to determine basic eligibility for veterans benefits or other available services (i.e. local, county, state, federal).
+ Advises and assists applicants by advising on all (i.e. local, state, and federal) benefits (i.e. compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, health care, home loan, burial, etc.); accurately completing prescribed Veterans Administration (VA) forms; electronically submitting all VA claims activities, documents, and supporting evidences; etc. in order to secure all VA benefits for the client.
+ Explains applicable laws and regulations by reading and understanding relevant laws and regulations; attending mandated trainings provided by the California Department of Veterans Affairs; applying the rules and regulations; ensuring applicant understands the process, laws, and regulations applicable to the claims process; etc. in order to ensure the applicant obtains all VA benefits the applicant is entitled to by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
+ Acts as liaison with other governmental or private agencies concerned with the welfare of veterans, their dependents, and survivors by participating in community outreach and Board of Supervisor events; collaborating with community and local leaders; etc. in order to enhance or expand veterans services in the community.
+ Refers veterans, their dependents and survivors to other agencies by escorting clients to the partnering agency; by making house calls; calling/emailing/skyping the partnering agency to provide the referral for services; collaborating with community partners (i.e. local, state, federal and nonprofit) in order to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the veterans and their families.
+ Maintains records and prepares reports by accurately inputting data into VetPro; monitoring tickler reports, awards, and denials for accuracy; etc.; reviewing DVS 19, 20, 40, and MC reports; summarizing awards, denials; using a computer and appropriate software in order to receive reimbursement from the State of California in the form of subvention funding.
+ Submits appeals for unjust or incorrect decisions on claims by reviewing adverse rating decisions; advising the client on proper course of action/ next steps of appeals process; formulating arguments on behalf of the client; completing the prescribed forms; submitting appeals and additional evidence in a timely manner to the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to ensure the applicant obtains all VA benefits the applicant is entitled to by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Requirements
SELECTION REQUIREMENT:
Two (2) years' experience in the preparation of claims for veterans benefits in the Armed Forces or in a veterans agency or organization.
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related essential functions may be required.
PHYSICAL CLASS:
2 - Light. Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved.
OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE:
LosAngeles County employees claiming out-of-class experience will be consideredfor this examination. Experience performing duties that applicants believe areinconsistent with their official payroll title will be evaluated for thisexamination; all information included in the application material, includinginformation describing your assigned duties, will be evaluated to determine qualification.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
+ An Associate's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Counseling, Criminal Justice or a closely related field.
+ Other Military specialized education such as Noncommissioned Officers course, courses involved in counseling technique and skills building.
+ Accreditations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel (e.g., Disable American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, California Department of Veterans Affairs, National Association of County Veterans Service Officer)
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE:
As part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire to document specific education and work experience.
Additional Information
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
Once we determined that you meet the requirements, we will invite you to participate in the following two (2) assessments:
Part 1: A multiple choice test weighted 70% covering Customer Focus, Learning Potential, and Responsibility.
THE MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.
Part 2: An Evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E) weighted 30% covering professional/technical knowledge of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Laws, Rules, and Regulations; and professional/technical knowledge of Counseling and Guidance Principles and Practices.
Applicants must meet the requirements and achieve a combined passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
TRANSFER OF SCORES:
Applicants that have taken identical test part(s) for this or any other exam within the last 12 months will have their test responses for the identical test part(s) automatically transferred to this examination. This examination contains test parts that may be used in the future for new examinations. Upon acceptance of your application, your test responses may be transferred to the new examination, and you may not be allowed to retake any identical test part(s) for at least 12 months. Depending on the new examination content, your transferred test responses may not result in the same score.
Invitation letters to the multiple choice test will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that applicants provide a valid email address. Please add awong@hr.lacounty.gov and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.
Notice of non-acceptance and final exam results letters will be sent via email and/or U.S mail. Exam results cannot be given over the telephone.
TEST PREPARATION:
Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/. Please click on "Find A Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit". Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.
You can also access test preparation for the computerized portion of the test by going to http://www.shldirect.com/practice_tests.html. While the guides will help in preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months from the date the list is created.
VACANCY INFORMATION:
The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as they occur.
AVAILABLE SHIFT: ANY
APPLICANTS AND FILING INFORMATION:
Applications MUST be filed online only. We must receive your application by 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. Postal Mail, fax or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "APPLY" green button located on the upper right corner of this posting.
Any additional documents must be received at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days from the last day of application submission.
Fill out your application and supplemental questionnaire completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the requirements. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be disqualified.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from Class Specification and Minimum Requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.
FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal Law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD: All applications must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family members or friends user ID and password may erase a candidates original application record.
ADA Coordinator Email: adarequests@hr.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: Annie Wong
Department Contact Email: awong@hr.lacounty.gov
For detailed information, please click here
01
The information you provide on your application and this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. Please be advised that failure to provide the correct information in the application and application supplemental questionnaire may result in disqualification of your application even if you possess the qualifying experience or education. Please be as specific as possible and include all information as requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response. Please note that all information is subject to verification at any time in the examination and hiring process. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or dismissal.
Do you understand the above information and instructions?
+ I understand the above information and instructions.
02
Many important notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add awong@hr.lacounty.gov and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
Applicants have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County.
Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.
Do you understand the above information and instructions?
+ I understand the above information and instructions.
03
How many years of experience do you have in the preparation of claims for veterans benefits in the Armed Forces or in a veterans agency or organization?
+ No experience
+ Less than two (2) years of experience
+ Two (2) years of experience or more
04
If you indicated you have experience on question #3, please provide the following information for each employment experience:
• Position Title
• Name of Employer
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Dates of Employment: Start Date (mm/dd/yy) – Ending Date (mm/dd/yy)
• Briefly describe your experience in the preparation claims of veterans benefits in the Armed Force or in a veterans agency or organization.
If you have no experience in this area of responsibility, then indicate "N/A." Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
05
General Information: This evaluation of Training & Experience (T&E) is a self-assessment. You will respond to questions about your training and experience related to having acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the Veterans Claims Assistant I position. All information that you provide is subject to verification. The assessment will evaluate the following competencies:
1. Professional/Technical Knowledge of Military and Veterans Affairs' Laws, Rules, and Regulations - Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations governing the rights and benefits to which veterans and/or their dependents/survivors are entitled to including Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, 38 United States Code, California Military and Veterans' Code, and California Department of Veterans Affairs procedures for Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance.
2. Professional/Technical Knowledge of Counseling and Guidance Principles and Practices – Knowledge of counseling techniques and practices in order to serve veterans and/or their dependents/survivors.
This assessment is weighted 30%. Candidates must achieve a combine passing score of 70% or higher on the examination (part 1 – multiple choice test and part 2 – an evaluation of T&E) to be added on the eligible list. All completed T&Es will be scored according to standardized criteria established and approved by a panel of subject matter experts.
Instructions for Completion
Carefully read the official County job bulletin for this examination. You will receive points for each question based on the response(s) you provide. You will receive zero points for any question on which you do not provide the requested information that supports the response you indicated for your training and/or experience. Referrals to a resume or the County application will be considered a non-response.
Certification Statement
By completing the following, I hereby attest that all information I have provided in this T&E is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that Human Resources staff may contact my employers to verify the information that I have provided. I understand that any misrepresentations, falsifications, or omissions of material facts violates Civil Service Rules and may subject me to actions, including removal from this examination and dismissal during any period of County employment.
Furthermore, I certify that I will not disclose the questions used in this examination to any candidate nor will I provide any information to anyone concerning anything related to this examination other than concerned parties in an official protest or appeal. I understand that violation of this agreement can result in my disqualification from this examination as provided by Civil Service Rules.
+ I understand the above information and instructions.
06
Indicate if you have any of the following specialized education (Please mark all that apply):
+ Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Counseling, Criminal Justice or a closely related field.
+ Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Counseling, Criminal Justice or a closely related field.
+ Master's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Counseling, Criminal Justice or a closely related field.
+ Other Military specialized education: (e.g., Noncommissioned Officers course, Courses involved in Counseling Technique and skills building)
+ None of the above.
07
If you indicated you have specialized education on question #6, please provide the following information:
• Type of degree conferred (e.g. Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science)
• Areas of specialty (e.g. Sociology, Counseling)
• Name of the accredited institution which conferred your degree(s)
• Date degree conferred
• Name of military specialized course(s) taken, name of institution of course(s) taken, and date of course(s) taken, if applicable. Ensure to attach a copy of the certificate with your application.
• Ensure to attach a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows degree has been conferred and the area of specialization to your application.
If you do not have a degree, please indicate "N/A." Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
08
Please indicate if you have assisted veterans, their dependents/survivors in applying for any of the following Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Healthcare Administration, and/or National Cemetery Administration claims applications on behalf of veterans and/or their dependents/survivors to a public (e.g., Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Public Social Services, Department of Mental Health) or private (e.g., Volunteers of America, U.S. Veterans, People Assisting the Homeless) agency? (Please select all that apply)
+ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Military Sexual Trauma
+ Presumptive illnesses (e.g., Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome)
+ Veterans Healthcare
+ Discharge Upgrades
+ CalFresh/Medi-Cal
+ Housing & Urban Development (e.g. Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
+ I do not have experience assisting veterans, and/or their dependents/survivors in applying for any of the above claims applications on behalf of veterans and/or their dependents/survivors to the public or private agency.
09
If you indicated you have assisted veterans, their dependents/survivors in applying for claims applications on question #8, please provide the following information for each employment experience:
• Position Title
• Name of Employer
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Dates of Employment: Start Date (mm/dd/yy) – Ending Date (mm/dd/yy)
• Briefly describe your experience assisting veterans, their dependents/survivors in applying for Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Healthcare Administration, and/or National Cemetery Administration claims applications on behalf of veterans and/or their dependents/survivors to a public or private agency.
If you have no experience in this area of responsibility, then indicate "N/A." Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
10
How many years of verifiable experience do you have in counseling (i.e. advising, referring, or guiding) veterans and/or their dependents/survivors to obtain veterans benefits?
+ No experience performing this task
+ Less than 6 months
+ At least 6 months, but less than 1 year
+ At least 1 year, but less than 2 years
+ At least 2 years, but less than 3 years
+ At least 3 years, but less than 4 years
+ At least 4 years, but less than 5 years
+ 5 years or more
11
If you indicate you have experience in question #10, please provide the following information for each employment experience:
• Position Title
• Name of Employer
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Dates of Employment: Start Date (mm/dd/yy) – Ending Date (mm/dd/yy)
• Briefly describe your experience in counseling (i.e. advising, referring, or guiding) veterans and/or their dependents/survivors to obtain veterans benefits.
If you have no experience in this area of responsibility, then indicate "N/A." Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered a response.
12
Indicate if you possess any of the following accreditations from the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of General Counsel:
+ Disable American Veterans
+ Veterans of Foreign Wars
+ American Legion
+ California Department of Veterans Affairs
+ National Association of County Veterans Service Officer
+ Other Department of Veteran Affairs Office of General Counsel accreditation related to Veterans claims activities
+ I do not possess any of the above accreditations from the Department of Veteran Affairs
13
If you indicated you possess any accreditations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel on question #12, please ensure a copy of your accreditation certificate(s) is/are attached to your application or email it to awong@hr.lacounty.gov within 15 calendar days after the last day of application filing, or indicate your Office of General Counsel Number on the below comment box.
If you do not have any accreditations or Office of General Counsel Number, then indicate "N/A."
Required Question
Agency
County of Los Angeles
Address
**************
Los Angeles, California, 90010
Website
http://hr.lacounty.gov
Please verify your email address
Verify Email
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