Overview
Veterans Benefits Specialist Jobs in Kenosha, WI at City of Kenosha
Title: Veterans Benefits Specialist
Company: City of Kenosha
Location: Kenosha, WI
JOB REQUIREMENTS: The Veterans Services Office provides support to
veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through federal and
state programs, acting as an advocate on their behalf and directing them
to other authorized agencies or providers as their needs dictate. The
Veterans Benefits Specialist, reporting to the Assistant Veterans
Services Officer, performs complex claim processing, clerical, and
record keeping procedures calling for individual judgment and
initiative. This position is responsible for conducting transactions in
matters requiring a highly specialized knowledge and understanding of
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Wisconsin Department of
Veterans Affairs (WDVA) laws, regulations, and/or departmental policies
and procedures. Tasks are performed under the direction of the County
Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) and involve highly confidential
information. Duties include: Process applications by veterans and their
dependents for disability compensation and pension, to include health
care, skilled nursing care, and caregiver services Work with veterans
and their dependents regarding medical, subsistence, retraining, relief
grant, and financial assistance programs Work with veterans and their
dependents regarding education benefits and eligibility for tuition
assistance through GI bills, to include vocational rehabilitation Assist
in the coordination and planning of major events such as annual homeless
veterans' stand-down, veterans' celebration, and veterans' town-hall
meetings Serve as communication central point of contact to promulgate
the latest information and news to veterans via email, social media, and
Other Platform Outlets Process Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
claims and veterans' burial reimbursement for survivors and eligible
dependents Work with veterans and their dependents to determine and
process benefit eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and Kenosha County
benefits available Perform as the Co-Mentor Coordinator for Second
Judicial District of Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court Coordinate the
issuance of gas cards to assist veterans to/from their scheduled medical
appointments within the VA hospital system Maintain database of users of
the Kenosha County website for veterans' programs; input/update veteran
information into WDVA database, including discharges; and maintain
VetraSpec proprietary database for management reports Work and
communicate with various federal, state, and local agencies, such as
Social Security Administration, Vet Center, Register of Deeds,
Department of Health & Human Services, other County Veterans Services
Offices, and medical facilities, to assist veterans and their dependents
Attend training conferences at the national and state level in order to
maintain accreditation, including informative workshops/meetings to gain
knowledge of veterans' benefits Provide notice of veteran deaths to
Milwaukee VA Regional Office (VARO) and provide information regarding
veteran burials to WDVA as required by statutes Understand and maintain
database program for submission of grants Prepare press releases from VA
and/or WDVA information and release to area newspapers, maintain
Division of Veterans Services web page, and prepare/update informational
brochures and handouts to County veteran service organizations and
others Initiate, update, and maintain confidential records, files,
forms, and data systems Independently compile and analyze data and
prepare various reports Coordinate work outreach initiatives; may
require work outside of normal hours and travel to provide extended
services to veterans in the western part of Kenosha County Serve as
screening processor to assist veterans with financial assistance and
refer veterans to CVSO for eligibility for Veterans Service Commission
emergency financial aid funds Perform other duties as required or
assigned We invite you to join Kenosha County and make a meaningful
impact supporting our veteran community! ***** OTHER EXPERIENCE AND
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience Experience working in human services or
social work required Two years of experience in veterans' benefits or
related field preferred Two years of experience in processing VA claims
And Appeals Preferred Veteran Status Preferred Qualifications Knowledge
of: Applicable current federal, state, and local laws, rules, and
regulations State and federal veteran benefits and eligibility
Requirements State And Federal Burial And Death Benefits Appropriate
forms and documents required for benefit applications and processing
procedures General office procedures, computer hardware/software, and
office equipment Office and government terminology dealing with
veterans' policies, practices, and procedures VetraSpec software system
preferred Skill in: Use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel,
Outlook, and PowerPoint Basic internet usage Verbal and written
communication Attention to detail and organization Ability to: Read and
interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance
instructions, and procedure manuals Write routine reports and
correspondence Speak effectively before veterans or employees, using
tact and diplomacy Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts,
interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference,
and volume Apply concepts of basic math, algebra, and geometry Handle
money and work accurately with the receipt of funds Work with limited
daily supervision, proceeding alone on routine matters and referring
other matters to supervisor Apply common sense understanding to carry
out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form Handle
problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid
conclusions Regularly work with confidential data and maintain security
of confidential matters and materials which may include protected health
information (includes electronic PHI); information can be of a personal
nature, and if disclosed could cause serious adverse legal and community
reaction and concern for the Veterans Services Office and Kenosha County
Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment Physical
Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those
that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential
functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions. The
position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25
pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently
***** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply Online:
www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs Other: To see the complete job description
and to apply for this position, please visit our website,
www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs, and click the "View Open Jobs" button.
Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, March 27, 2026, at
12:00 noon.
