Job Description:

C.S.E.A. Classified Bargaining Unit Salary Range 130
Initial Screening Date: November 29, 2022

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction from higher level supervisory or management staff, performs the more complex duties supporting the daily operations of the College Veterans Office; serves as primary Certifying Official, working directly with Veterans and Veterans Administration; provides information and assistance to students regarding Veterans Administration benefits; develops and implements methods of communicating information to new and returning Veterans; monitors Veteran academic progress; coordinates assigned activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Veterans Specialist series. This level is distinguished from the Veterans Specialist by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including coordination of daily office operations, representing the College to outside individuals and organizations, and providing technical supervision over lower level staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility and perform duties with minimal direction that require the use of judgement and discretion in decision making.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1.    Perform the more complex duties supporting the daily operations of the College Veterans Office; train assigned employees in their areas of work including processing of student applications for Veterans benefits.
2.    Provide training and direction to assigned employees; review and verify work performed for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
3.    Respond to the more complex questions and inquiries regarding Veterans Administration benefits and tuition fees; resolve issues appropriate to level of authority.
4.    Plan and execute veteran outreach programs and conduct orientation sessions for new and potential veteran students; answer questions and provide information concerning the College’s expectations for academic achievement goals as it relates to veteran enrollment.
5.    Plan, organize, and implement College recruitment events focused on the returning veteran population.
6.    Assist Public Information and Marketing staff in establishing marketing plans related to outreach activities and services for veteran students; assist Public Information and Marketing staff in coordinating veteran recruitment announcements; assist in the development and evaluation of veteran public relations and marketing goals.
7.    Research and develop methods for providing support services to veteran students with special needs or disabilities; perform specialized duties as needed.
8.    Develop relationships with military entities from which to recruit potential veteran students; ensure a favorable image of the College through organized marketing campaigns and information dissemination.
9.    Conduct orientation, assessment, and advisement/guidance sessions, both on and off campus, for new and potential veteran students to answer questions and provide information concerning the College’s expectations for both academic and personal goals; participate in activities to expand and enhance the veteran services program.
10.    Process student applications for Veterans benefits; advise applicants of their entitlement, regulations and policies pertaining to their enrollment; document status changes; provide assistance for questions and inquiries.
11.    Monitor Veteran academic progress; post grades; update files at semester completion for progress or delinquency; notify student of reinstatement procedures; certify student courses; submit annual requests for approval of college Veterans education program.
12.    Prepare a variety of letters, documents, reports and requisitions; produce and ensure timely submission of veteran transactions and reports.
13.    Perform general clerical work; answer phones; enter information into computer; maintain files and records; receive, sort and distribute mail.
14.    Provide assistance to all college divisions and departments relating to the Veterans program.
15.    Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive College Veterans Office.
Federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations pertaining to Veterans Administration benefits.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Methods and techniques of public relations.
Principles and practices of accounting.
Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
Coordinate the daily functions of the College Veterans Office.
Independently perform the most difficult work of the unit related to Veterans Administration benefits.
Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, District and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Analyze and verify a variety of financial data and evaluate veteran students’ entitlement eligibility. 
Examine and verify financial documents and reports.
Respond to difficult inquiries and requests from students regarding Veterans Administration options and programs.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Adapt to new technologies and learn applicable software applications.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Equivalent to two years of college level course work in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field.

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience directly related to working with Veterans and veterans benefits.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: 
Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal; subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with students, academic and classified staff and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.

Physical: 
Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: 
See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: 
Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
 

SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE:

Interviews may be held in-person (following all necessary precautions) or in a virtual format. Employees must reside in California while employed with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), even during remote work. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the SOCCCD.

The SOCCCD is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities it serves. Beginning January 8, 2022, all employees and volunteers must be fully vaccinated (as defined by the Centers for Disease Control) against COVID-19 unless approved as exempt due to a verified disability/medical condition or sincerely held religious belief (as defined in federal or state laws and regulations). More information can be found on our District website by visiting https://www.socccd.edu/about/about_covid-19.html.

NOTICE TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT:

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country.

PLEASE NOTE:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with this District will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the District to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or selection process, please notify District Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the Job Close Date/Initial Screening Date, by either calling (949) 582-4850 or sending an e-mail to hrinfodesk@socccd.edu.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT:

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

CAMPUS CRIME AND SAFETY AWARENESS:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at www.saddleback.edu or www.ivc.edu. Paper copies are available in the District Human Resources office upon request.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):

The South Orange County Community College District is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion and equal opportunity for all, and ensures that students, faculty, management and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome, included, supported, and safe. Our culture of belonging, openness, and inclusion, makes our district a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

Our District and our colleges are looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join our District, you can expect to be part of an exciting, thriving, equity-focused, and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, administration, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position with our District, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our District’s mission and goals for EEO, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

SOCCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Important: You must make sure that you have completed your application for a posting by 11:59 p.m., Pacific Time, on the posting's Job Close Date, along with any required documents, in order to be considered for the position.

Applicants must complete all fields/sections on the application. Do not type "See Resume" or leave any fields blank. Applicants must enter their work experience, education, etc. on the District application. Applications reflecting "See Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for recruitment.