About the role
Requisition No: 886961
Agency: Veterans Affairs
Working Title: STATE VETERANS' SERVICE OFFICER - 50009414
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 50009414
Salary: $45,479.98
Posting Closing Date: 11/11/2026
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Requisition #886961
STATE VETERANS’ SERVICE OFFICER
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
VA Regional Office – Bureau of Claims Services
Bay Pines, Pinellas County
Starting Annual Salary: $45,479.98
Paid Bi-weekly
Excellent retirement package and optional deferred compensation plan. Health, vision, dental, disability, and other supplemental insurance available at reasonable premium rates. Paid vacation and sick leave. Nine (9) paid holidays and personal day. Tuition waiver available for State Universities and Community Colleges (up to 6 credits per semester). Education and employment history must be verifiable. Please attach any credentials you claim (degrees, certifications, etc.) to your application.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have served as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and must have been separated from such service under honorable conditions.
A DD-214, Member Copy #4, and supplemental documentation to support your category claimed MUST accompany your application.
In addition, the following is required:
- An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university; an E-5 or above rank may substitute for the required education. Direct experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis.
- Five (5) years of experience in counseling, interviewing, public or business administration or handling veterans' affairs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Successful completion of the due diligence process to include, but not limited to, a Level II background check and drug test https://info.flclearinghouse.com
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants with the following experience will be shown preference:
- Service Officer experience in counseling, interviewing, or handling veterans' affairs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Proficiency in web-based applications and conducting work-related internet research.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position is assigned to the VA Regional Office in Bay Pines, Pinellas County and is responsible for the following duties:
Review and interpret Veterans' Administration (VA) laws, rules and regulations affecting veterans’ entitlements in applying for state and federal veterans’ benefits.
Meet, interview, counsel and obtain information in order to prepare and submit claims.
Conduct personal hearing with VA Representatives, Decision Review Officer (DRO), and Board Veteran Appeals (BVA). Preparation of hearing, notification to claimant and complete hearing preparation on a Hearing Worksheet.
Complete forms and documents utilizing the Department's Vetraspec system. This includes entering all clients' information into the computer database.
Protect all private medical information and claims information in accordance with appropriate regulation and statutes. Maintains contact with veterans' administration personnel at the regional office on matters related to requests and/or claims.
Respond to telephonic, written, or inquiries from post and county service officers, veterans, and officials from other states relative to problems with the administration of veterans' benefits with the local agency jurisdiction.
Represent the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs by providing briefings and information on state and federal veterans' benefits at local events, military bases, medical center meetings, community fairs, homeless stand-downs and other events, as determined by supervisor and the department.
Deploy and provide assistance during State emergencies such as providing assistance at disaster recovery centers (DRC) throughout the state after natural disasters.
Offer all veterans the opportunity to apply for voter registration.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor and Bureau Chief in support of the FDVA's goals, objectives and mission.
This position is in the Career Service system.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.