Veterans Service Officer/ Commodities Technician

JOB SUMMARY:

Assists veterans and their dependents regarding benefits to which they are entitled through accomplishing intake conversion, identifying appropriate benefits, assisting filing claims, providing support evidence and preparing appeals regarding benefits to which they are entitled.

The Commodities Technician coordinates food distribution through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for eligible residents and seniors of Huerfano County.

This includes managing inventory, food safety monitoring, record keeping, volunteer coordination, and distribution scheduling to ensure equitable and compliant program operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCIONS

Veterans Services

· Experience and understanding of Veterans Affairs processes in filing claims.

· Ability to comprehend laws, eligibility criteria and processes when representing claimants.

· Complete required training to achieve accreditation through the Office of General Counsel.

· Effectively apply interview techniques to determine eligibility, need and situation.

· Counsels veterans and their dependents regarding benefits to which they are entitled.

· Prepares, or assists preparing applications, claims and supporting documents.

· Gives presentations and speeches regarding veterans’ benefits to groups.

· General understanding how medical diagnosis are attained.

· Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others, including people of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Program Coordination

? Administers and coordinates distribution of Care and Share and CSFP commodities.

? Schedules and organizes distribution events for county residents and seniors.

? Ensures fair and equitable distribution of commodities.

? Prepares and packs food boxes or bags for distribution.

? Maintains accurate participant and distribution records.

Inventory and Food Safety

? Must be able to obtain Food Safety and Handling Certificate

? Maintains inventory control, including quantity tracking and expiration monitoring.

? Ensures proper storage and food safety standards, including temperature monitoring and documentation.

? Coordinates food orders and deliveries with Care and Share and other oversight partners.

? Assists with required reporting, documentation, and program audits.

Volunteer and Community Coordination

? Promotes commodity distribution services through advertising and outreach.

? Recruits, schedules, and coordinates volunteers to support distribution events.

? Collaborates with other programs administered by Huerfano County Human Services.

Facility and Distribution Support

? Maintains organized and clean storage and distribution areas.

? Unloads deliveries and organizes commodities for storage and distribution.

? Assists with moving or transporting food items as needed.

? Performs additional duties as assigned to support department operations.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

· Attends meetings, classes and trainings as required, or requested by the Colorado Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.

· Communicates actively, clearly and regularly with Commissioners concerning veteran issues. Understanding of Privacy Act and PII regulations in order to protect Claimant information.

· Possess emotional intelligence and conflict resolution when interacting with veterans who are frustrated.

· Ethically strong in nature and professionalism when assisting claimants in vulnerable situations. Understands, observes, enforces and complies with all VA, state and county policies, procedures and protocols when performing job duties.

· Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

· May be required to work alternate schedules and/or in other work locations.

· Possess oral and written skills to communicate effectively, including but not limited to communicating actively, clearly, and regularly with supervisors and/or co-workers on all work-related topics.

· Understands, observes, enforces, and complies with all County and Departmental policies, procedures, and protocols when performing job duties both on and off County premises.

· Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with all County employees, customers, vendors, and community members.

· May be required to effectively manage multiple projects, deal with stressful situations, and adapt to sudden and unexpected changes in work assignments.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Ability to operate and, or learn standard office equipment including computers, computer software, calculators, printers and copiers.

· Ability to perform routine office tasks.

· Ability to evaluate client needs and eligibility to recommend appropriate actions.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with both clients and veterans’ agencies staff.

· Ability to deal with a variety of people and situations.

· Supervisory principles, procedures and methods including training, discipline, selection and evaluation.

· Knowledge of the principal and practice of interviewing and counseling. Working knowledge of Veteran’s Administration benefits and programs. Ability to interview and provide information to assist program clients.

EXPERT PROFICIENCY

· Effectively apply Veteran’s Administration programs, rules, both state and federal laws and regulations governing benefits for veterans.

· Proven success in processing Veterans’ Administration claims.

· Ability to function as an active Veteran Advocate by identifying gaps in service and providing solutions through the location of resources to fill those gaps.

TRAINING AND/OR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college, or university in Social Sciences, Education, or Philosophy field required.

Experience: A minimum of two years’ experience working with veterans.

OTHER : Must be an Honorably Discharged U.S. Veteran

Valid driver’s license at the time of application and at time of hire required. Must successfully pass a State and Federal government background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical positions require works to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs; bend; climb stairs; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects, and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing. May be required to work evening or other nonstandard hours.

USUAL DEMANDS

Work is subject to frequent interruptions and inflexible deadlines.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.