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Job Summary:  Seeking accredited Assistant Superintendent to join the Veterans Assistance Commission to join the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County (VACSC) team. In accordance with the Military Veterans Assistance Act (330 ILCS 45/10h), "Superintendents, subject to rules formulated by the Commission, shall select, as far as possible, Veteran Service Officers and other employees from among military veterans, including those who have served or may still be serving as members of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, who did not receive a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge or other equivalent discharge thereof, or their spouses, surviving spouses, or children. Employees of the Commission shall be at-will employees."

Under the supervision of the Superintendent and VAC Board. This position requires a confident, secure, intelligent, public speaker, with a positive attitude that fully understands and embraces the VACSC mission and they may represent the office at the VAC Commission meeting in the Superintendent's absence. 

• Interviewing the veteran with the purpose of filing a claim with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The interview includes probing for details of the veterans military service including but not limited to; Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and its responsibilities, determining likelihood of hazard exposure based on MOS and assigned duty stations, clarification of details found in the Military Personnel Record or Military Treatment Record, determining the veteran’s and/or spouse’s current state of health, clarification of information found in the veterans financial statements, and determining the veterans understanding of the VA Claims process and the requirements associated with a given claim for benefits.
• Reviewing veteran military records (Service Treatment Records, Military Personnel Records and Military Unit and Clinical Records)

• Reviewing current medical records
• Reviewing government studies to identify relevant medical information that can be used as additional medical evidence in support of a specific claim.
• Evaluating ‘Buddy Statements’ to determine the appropriateness for a specific claim in the establishment of a Nexus and/or current chronic condition.
• Reviewing and evaluating all veteran income and asset information, and current out of pocket medical expenses to identify and include the information relevant to a VA Pension Claim or application for VA Health Care.
• Should the veteran have had submitted claims to the VBA prior; review each claim and the legal justification for awarding or denying a condition. Evaluate all current supporting information related to a request for increase to determine if the new medical information support increasing the veterans rating. Evaluate all current supporting information related to a request to reopen a previously denied claim to determine if the new information will; be considered new and material by the VBA, positively address the reasons for denial.
• Based on the total information make recommendations to the veteran as to the readiness of the claim, the potential negative impact on existing ratings, and likely denials of claimed conditions.
• Complete all associated VA paperwork for each claim and submit along with supporting documentation to connect.
• Review the progress of a claim via VBMS to identify issues that may result in a denial. Address such issues and log in Vetpro for future ‘update requests’ from the veteran. Also, update progress in the tickler (typical claim may take in excess of 14 months).
• Based on service connected disabilities, pension, service era, income, etc… identify other VA programs the claimant may be entitled including but not limited to; Vocational Rehab, Dependent Education, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Life Insurance, Adaptive Housing, VA Home Loan Guarantee, VA Health Care, and Adaptive Equipment.
• Upload claim, supporting documentation, supplemental documentation or added issues along with a receipt from the VBA’s Evidence Intake Center into Vetpro. Document each veteran visit or updated claim information into Vetpro.
• When the VA makes a decision on a claim…

(a.) Review the claim and the VA’s legal justification with the veteran so the veteran can understand how the VA determined a positive rating percent, or what was missing in the claim should the claim be denied; (b.) Work with the veteran to identify the next legal course of action should the veteran not be pleased with the outcome; (c.) Identify any additional benefits that the veteran may be entitled based on the positive outcome of his/her claim; (d.) Record details of the VA decision in Vetpro.

• Completion of two years of college level programs with course work in public or business administration, accounting, supervision or related experience.
• Requires federal certification from the Veteran’s Administration Counsel General. accreditation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel (VA OGC); FBI Background Check; TRIP Certification; HIPPA Training; VA Security Training
• Requires five years of experienced work as a Veterans Service Officer and willingness to work towards qualifications as Certified Veteran’s Advocate (the highest certification a VSO can attain) or related experience.
• Requires knowledge of developing and processing claims; developing budgets; and working with various legislative groups.
• Requires considerable knowledge of:   office management or supervisory methods, practices and techniques; records and operation of the office is required; laws affecting the work of the assigned division or department; specialized terminology of the division, department or office to which assigned.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m., FLSA non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week (evening/weekend meetings required on occasion)

Salary & Benefits:  Annual salary will be commensurate with experience.  2 weeks paid vacation, 3 paid personal days, 12 paid sick leave days, and 13 paid holidays per year.  Individual and Family health, dental and life insurance options and retirement.

Interested persons should send a resume and cover letter by March 13, 2026 to Ashti Dawson at the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County, 300 S. 9th St, Springfield, IL 62701 or email documents to ashti.dawson@sangamonil.gov

Resume Deadline:  March 13, 2026 by 4:30p.m.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County is an EEO Employer

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