Jobs at Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (Now Hiring) — 332 open

Position Overview:

This role supports veterans and their families by helping them understand and access the benefits and services available to them. It involves working one-on-one with individuals, guiding them through claims and answering questions in a clear and supportive way. The position also connects with community partners and represents the department at local events to share information and resources. We encourage all who are interested in supporting veterans and their families to apply! 

Essential Functions:

• Under direction, acts as Service Officer for the Field Services Division within the IL Department of Veterans' Affairs whilst managing the operation of a field office, with emphasis on claims and the origination of appeals.
• Advocates for veterans, retirees, spouses and dependents regarding applicable benefits.
• Serves as liaison with various county, state, and federal agencies, in establishing veterans entitlements to benefits, resources and services.
• Represents the IL Department of Veterans' Affairs at various community affairs and public events, explaining the functions of the IL Department of Veterans' Affairs.
• Trains and/or assists in the training of newly appointed Veterans' Service Officers.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of two years college with emphasis in business administration or public administration.
• Requires an honorable discharge from service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The veteran must have served during a time of hostilities with a foreign country, and must meet one or more of the following conditions:
  (i) The veteran must have served a total of at least 6 months.
  (ii) The veteran served for the duration of hostilities regardless of the length of engagement.
  (iii) The veteran was discharged on the basis of hardship.
  (iv) The veteran was released from active duty because of a service-connected disability and was discharged under honorable conditions.

*(20 ILCS 2805/4) Executive Branch, Department of Veterans Affairs Act, Section 4

*As used in this section, "time of hostilities with a foreign country" means any period of time in the past, present, or future during which a declaration of war by the United States Congress has been or is in effect or during which an emergency condition has been or is in effect that is recognized by the issuance of a Presidential proclamation or a Presidential executive order and in which the armed forces expeditionary medal or other campaign service medals are awarded according to Presidential executive order. (Source P.A. 88-275.)
Hostilities Start/Date End Date:
World War I: April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
World War II: December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
Korean: June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
Vietnam: February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
Lebanon: June 6, 1983 - December 1, 1987
Grenada: October 23, 1983 - November 21, 1983
Panama: December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990
Desert Storm: August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995
War on Terrorism: September 11, 2001 (Ongoing Hostilities)

• Requires one year of experience in sales, public relations, welfare work, or other work involving extensive public contact.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of the department's veterans' programs and the operating policies and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of the benefits and services available to veterans, their spouses and family, and the federal and state laws and regulations governing their administration.
• Working knowledge of office management skills and techniques.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience managing an office efficiently and effectively, to provide services to military personnel, veterans, their dependents and/or survivors, and to maintain records as required by the agency or organization.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other staff, veterans, dependents, community organizations and other stakeholders in the veteran community.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience preparing and presenting topical speeches to veterans' groups and other interested parties.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience explaining federal and state veterans' legislation to the public.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience analyzing and interpreting service records, private medical records, and reports in terms of establishing entitlement to Veteran's Administration benefits.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience examining, interpreting and explaining complex decisions affecting clientele regarding claims issues, and appropriately advising them of their responsibility in relation to benefit awards.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience making informed decisions in accordance with the laws of the federal and state government governing veterans' benefits and services and expressing related ideas clearly in written and/or oral form.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires ability to pass a background check.
• Requires ability to meet all agency vaccine/health-related policies and guidance.
• Requires ability to obtain Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation (TRIP) of Claims certification and maintain required training throughout employment.
• Employees must obtain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation within their probationary period. Failure to achieve accreditation will result in termination of employment. Accreditation is achieved by completion of State of Illinois, Department of Veterans' Affairs, self-paced training, and certification testing with a minimum score of 70%. Requires re-accreditation every 5 years while fulfilling the duties of a Veterans Service Officer. Failure to maintain accreditation will be grounds to commence progressive discipline.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid drivers license.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is a state agency designed to empower veterans and their families to thrive. We do this by assisting them in navigating the system of federal, state, and local resources and benefits, providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in our Veterans’ Homes and partnering with other agencies and non-profits to help veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges. A career with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides a rewarding and challenging opportunity for individuals. Working together, we create partnerships and experiences that engage and inspire our fellow co-workers and the veterans and their family members that we serve every day.

Benefit Package:

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs offers a robust benefit package including:

• Flexible work schedules in many program areas (where applicable)
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Pension Plan.
• Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs.
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually.
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service.
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days, pro-rated based on start date.
• Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually.