Independently assists veterans and their families in the development and review of the most complex claims and performs outreach activities for respective field office; may present appeals to the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs; or manages a caseload of veterans under the Veterans Estate Management Program (VEMP).

Positions at this level perform at least two of the following activities:

1. develop, review and perform case management for complex claims such as post traumatic stress disorder, exposure to agent orange, discharge upgrade, and/or Ex-POW related claims, all of which require extensive medical documentation and personal history;
2. at least 20% of the time, perform the full range of outreach activities which can consist of providing training to agency staff/contracted claims staff and provide information/assistance to veterans and their family members in remote or temporary settings or outreach visitation for the purpose of assessing clients social needs and ensure the case plan is being followed;
3. at least 15% of the time conduct intensive inter-agency coordination with local, State and Federal agencies as well as give presentations to community based organizations regarding Federal or State programs and benefits; or,
4. in accordance with RCW 73.04.130, 131, 135 and 140 manages the estate of any incapacitated veteran or incapacitated veterans' dependent under the VEMP.

Assist in the development, review and preparation of claims appeals;

Interviews and counsels veterans, dependents and beneficiaries on rights, privileges and benefits provided under the existing laws;

Advises contacts of applicability of numerous and varied laws, methods needed to substantiate eligibility and methods and procedures used in filing applications for claims; provides information on benefits payable under old and new laws and consequences of selecting appropriate entitlement;

Obtains various supporting documents required for completion of complex claims and researched sources of documents and substitute documents which may be acceptable;

Contacts and maintains liaison with veterans in institutions such as prisons, nursing homes, soldiers' homes and outlaying communities, etc., on a regular basis;

Travels to and provides full range of counseling and claims service to veterans located in remote locations; conducts group orientation to explain rights, privileges and eligibility under both Federal and State laws;

Provides training in veterans benefits and claims processes to agency and contracted staff;

Maintains a system of contacts on a one-to-one relationship with all departmental representatives of veterans at local levels such as Employment Security LVER's/DVOP's, Department of Social and Health Services, veterans organizations, post service officers, attorneys, medical doctors, county commissioners or assigned representatives in administration of Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Funds; maintains contact with various military records centers, servicemen's life insurance centers, etc., on a national level;

Participates in leadership role as representative of veterans in public relations activities at the local level with news media and other public information media, makes presentations at conferences, seminars, service clubs and veterans organization meetings;

Within the Veterans Estate Management Program manages a caseload of incapacitated veterans and/or dependents; counsels veterans and family members on financial status; receives and reviews creditors' claims against clients' funds; authorizes and issues payments within prescribed parameters of program guidelines; administers programs and funds in accordance with guardianship requirements as set forth by the courts and in conjunction with governing statutes RCW 11.88 and 11.92;

Maintains, in a confidential manner, pertinent information, certifications and records;

May supervise office support staff;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: Federal and State laws pertaining to the benefits of veterans and their dependents; processing of veterans' benefit claims; services of the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans organizations, Department of Employment Security and other public and private welfare and service organizations.

Ability to: understand and apply a body of rules and regulations; recognize and overcome attitudes or emotions that hinder effective communications; secure information by personal or telephone contacts, often from unwilling claimants; deal tactfully and effectively with representatives of other organizations; compose letters, speeches and other forms of communication.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Two years of experience as a Veterans Benefit Specialist 1 in State service.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, counseling, social science or closely allied field, and one year of experience providing benefits information, claims or employment assistance to veterans and their family members.

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for education.

New class: 12-12-86
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 3-15-91
Class code change (formerly 3749): 7-1-91
Revised definition and distinguishing characteristics: 3-15-96
New class code: (formerly 37461) effective July 1, 2007

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.