Veterans Services Officer

Veterans Services Officer

Salary

$61,671.57 Annually

Location

City Hall - 117 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, FL

Job Type

Civil Service

Job Number

2026-07304

Department

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS

Opening Date

09/18/2026

Closing Date

10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Military Affairs & Veterans Department is actively seeking a Veterans Services Officer.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is professional work in providing assistance to veterans and their dependents or qualified beneficiaries in presenting claims for, applying for, and/or drafting appeals of denials of benefits, social services, or public assistance in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations. The work requires a basic understanding and application of theories, principles, and practices of social services usually gained through degree granting schools, or an equivalent level of practical knowledge gained through experience. Contacts with clients require skills in understanding and influencing people which are important in providing client services. Skills of persuasiveness as well as sensitivity to others points of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around. The work is standardized in that tasks are covered by substantially diversified procedures, and because of the changing priorities or different situations, incumbents have the latitude to consider which of the many procedures or standards should be followed and in what sequence. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications. Work is performed primarily in an office environment though the employee may be required to make field visits to clients in order to provide or ascertain services needed. Employee may be required to work evenings, weekends or holidays in order to attend or participate in outreach programs, special events or public engagements. Operates a motor vehicle and standard office equipment such as a personal computer. The physical demands consist mainly of sitting or standing for extended periods of time, occasionally lifting and moving light objects, and visiting veterans who are homebound, in hospitals or in nursing homes. The work is performed under limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures and well-defined policies, and the worker plans and organizes the work, determines their own priorities and the work is reviewed, usually after the fact, in terms of quality, volume, timeliness, and for adherence to established methods, standards and policies.

Examples of Work

• Interviews veterans, eligible individuals, representatives and other advocates to assess their needs and provide professional counsel on available services.
• Represents veterans/claimants to determine eligibility of benefits and prepares and submits claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Analyzes claims, researches and corroborates all pertinent data and documentation utilizing independent judgment and entitlement criteria for the appropriate course of action for prosecution/application of complex veterans' claims.
• Prepares applications for veterans' benefits, social services, and public assistance and ensures compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Initiates actions to obtain the greatest possible benefit for the veteran/claimant.
• Makes appropriate referrals to local, state or federal agencies for which a claimant may also be eligible for assistance.
• Provides on-going case management throughout the claim process.
• Research appropriate supporting documentation to prove evidence as needed to construct, research and prosecute the veteran/claimants claim for benefits.
• Prepares briefs for appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals; researches and cites applicable precedents and makes decisions concerning the appropriate course of action to pursue claims.
• Plans, develops, and presents programs to large groups regarding veteran-related issues.
• Monitors changes in veterans, social services, and public assistance related laws, rules, and regulations.
• Operates a motor vehicle and standard office equipment such as a personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of theories, principles and practices of social work.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local veterans benefits, social services and public assistance programs.
• Knowledge of veterans, social services, and public assistance-related laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Skill in interviewing and data-gathering techniques.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, interpreting and applying veterans benefits, social services, or public assistance-related federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to assess and determine the needs of a client and match such needs to federal, state, and local veterans benefits, social services and public assistance programs for which the client may qualify.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to understand medical and legal terminology.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to develop and make presentations to large groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain records.
• Ability to make mathematical calculations.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as a personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information

• Five (5) years of education and/or experience in providing social services.

• Two (2) years experience providing benefits, services, or assistance to veterans, their dependents or qualified beneficiaries.

• Must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• A valid drivers license is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this class.

• Must qualify for, obtain and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville Public Driver Certification.

• VA 40 Hour Veterans Service Officer Certification must secure within six (6) months.

• Certification and accreditation with applicable agencies for access to the Department of Veterans Affair's database must be obtained within six (6) months.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• The probationary period for this class is one (1) year.

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply at www.jacksonville.gov. Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blackout, is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school's name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.

The application system works best with Google Chrome or Edge with Chromium web browsers. Please try to apply using one of these browsers. To ensure you receive email notifications, be sure to make "info@governmentjobs.com" a trusted sender. You may also track the status of your application and see notifications by logging into your account. For further information regarding the application process. please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the website.

Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for post-secondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veterans preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here: http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference.

If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded the veteran's preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

Attention: Veterans' Preference Coordinator

11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K

Largo, FL 33778-1630

Email: VeteransPreference@fdva.state.fl.us

The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.

www.coj.net/benefits

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Copying and pasting your resume or stating "see resume" does NOT fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship from the City of Jacksonville either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

03

The budgeted annual salary for this position is $61,671.57. This is not negotiable. If selected, would you be willing to accept this position at this salary? (Civil Service positions have a 5% increase after successfully completing probation.)

• Yes
• No

04

This position is located in an office and is not a remote position.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

05

Do you have five (5) years of education and/or experience in providing social services?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have two (2) years of experience providing benefits, services, or assistance to veterans, their dependents or qualified beneficiaries?

• Yes
• No

07

Provide a detailed description (of 3-4 complete sentences) of your experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

08

Indicate the organization(s) where you gained this experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

09

Are you an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have a valid motor vehicle operator license that is not under suspension/revocation or restricted under any pending or current citations/court proceedings? Please indicate which license you possess.

• FL Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class C Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class E Driver License
• GA Standard Drivers License
• GA Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• GA Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• GA Class C Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• License from another State.
• Learner Permit
• My license is currently invalid.
• I do not possess any type of Drivers License.

11

If you have a State of FL license, does your license currently have one or more of these restrictions?

• C or 1 - Business Purpose Only
• D or H - Employment Purposes
• P or 2 - Probation Interlock Device
• S or I - Other Restriction
• Two or more of these restrictions.
• I have an out of state license.
• None of the above.

12

Have you been cited for more than three (3) moving violations, or two (2) at fault accidents within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you been convicted of Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) in any state during the last 36 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you been considered a "Habitual Traffic Offender" (HTO) within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

15

I consent to the City of Jacksonville using the drivers license information I have provided to access a drivers license report from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. I understand if one was accessed with relation to this application, a copy will be provided to me upon request.

• Yes, the City of Jacksonville has my consent to check my drivers license.
• No, I do not wish to give consent to the City of Jacksonville to check my drivers license.
• I do not possess a valid drivers license.

16

Provide your full Drivers License or Identification number. For out of state license, please include the state. PLEASE NOTE: Florida driver's license numbers are changing. Provide your most recently issued number. If a correct number is not provided, your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

17

If you are requesting veterans preference, you MUST download the appropriate state of Florida form (even if you dont live in Florida) and attach it to your application. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DELAY YOUR VETERANS PREFERENCE STATUS. Please download the forms at http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference

• Yes, I am claiming veterans preference and I understand that I MUST download the appropriate form and attach it to my application.
• No, I am not claiming veterans preference and this does not apply to me.

Required Question

Employer City of Jacksonville

Address 117 W. Duval St.

Suite 100

Jacksonville, Florida, 32202

Website http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services.aspx