Per the Illinois Military Veterans Assistance Act 330ILCS45 the Superintendent (the legal equivalent of a County Department Head and Elected Official as delineated in 330 ILCS 45 Section 10) is the Chief Executive Officer for the Veterans Assistance Commission (hereafter VAC), and as such manages the overall operations of the VAC, program development, public promotion of the VAC, communication, and delivery of services and assistance. Develops and approves programs, rules, and guidelines to meet Commission, client, community, and employee needs or responsibilities. Communicates with people within and outside the VAC to identify the needs of the Veteran community, what services or assistance can be developed based on community and VAC culture and legal ability, develop programs and services, and create strategies to promote the program / service to the Veteran community and the public. Makes decisions that affect the VAC’s direction and its employees including but not limited to: creation and implementation of programs and services based on the changing needs of the Veteran community; phasing out or restructuring existing programs that are not meeting VAC goals or expectations; and employee hiring or disciplining. The Superintendent is the County’s Chief Advocate for Veterans and their immediate families or survivors to ensure receipt of benefits available from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, State and Local Benefits, and other Federal Benefits. The Superintendent has authority over all operations of the VAC and its programs including but not limited to: representing the VAC before the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), legislators, and other elected/appointed officials to ensure concerns of the Veteran community and VAC are effectively presented and acted upon; work with certifying agencies to qualify VAC staff for cross-accreditation beyond what is offered by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers; negotiating with Federal, State, and Local agencies to establish memorandum of understanding or the like for services / assistance beneficial to Veterans and/or their family members, full budget authority, development and implementation of training for staff & volunteers, negotiate contracts, apply for grants and ensure proper reporting; and, developing and providing reports describing the activities in a manner that is understandable by the public. 

This list represents the essential functions performed by the position.  Employees may be assigned additional duties by management as required. 

Establish and carry out VAC goals, policies, and procedures. Regarding current agency programs: review changes in local, state, or federal law to identify conflicts to existing policy or procedures. Based on the needs of the Veterans community, identify holes in service and determine if addressing the hole meets with the VAC’s mission. If so, develop policy and procedures for meeting the new need and establish measurable agency goals.  

Establish measurable program goals and monitor progress toward meeting goals including; identifying barriers to meeting goals and developing plans to overcome; identifying other agencies who may be performing similar tasks and determine if collaboration available; analyze financial data, annual VA Benefits expenditures for Sangamon County and the VAC’s impact, trend analysis for each of the VAC services offered, and other performance indicators; identify places to cut costs and to improve performance, policies, and programs. 

Direct and oversee the VAC’s financial and budgetary activities at all levels. Based on need, prioritize program assets, monitor expenses and outcomes to deliver the best service while minimizing costs. Create annual program budgets and justify need based on past performance, projected continued need, and anticipated economic changes. Apply for grants and authorize receipt and compliance of grants. Respond to unexpected contingencies and authorized expenditures / payment. 

Manage all activities related to providing VAC services, including, but not limited to: Veterans Financial Assistance and Emergency Assistance (330 ILCS 45) (305 ILCS 5), VA Pension and Disability Claims (38 C.F.R §14.626-635), other services as permitted under 330 ILCS 45, and entering into service partnerships with other agencies  

Consult with other Federal, State or Local agency executives, department heads, elected officials, and board members about general operations concerns, legal compliance and reporting issues, identify concerns or potential opportunities, to ensure or improve overall operation of the VAC  

Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements to fund programs or provide services that are in the best interest of the Veteran community and its needs. This also includes the authority to terminate contracts. 

Hire, promote, or terminate VAC staff per the MVAA and the Sangamon County VAC Bylaws. This includes but is not limited to: developing and implementing criteria necessary to apply for a position with the VAC; deciding upon and making an offer to the best candidate and/or recommending the best candidate to the Commission and/or Executive Board; having direct oversite of any team members training; and providing regular feedback to staff regarding performance and discipline 

Ensuring that professional certifications of self and staff is in compliance with all requirements established by: the VA General Counsel, VA Security, certifying agencies with regard to VA Accreditation; General Assistance Training Institute (GATI) regarding the issuance of public aid in the State of Illinois (305 ILCS 5/); document security, retention, and destruction per the VA, Illinois State Archivist, and County Policy (this includes, but is not limited to: annual continuing education; township general assistance training; temporary assistance to needy families; refugee and repatriate assistance; Medicaid; and aid to the blind and disabled); passing an FBI Background Check as required by the VA; annual Document and Client Security Training as required by the VA; and receive and comprehend significant policy alerts from the VA / NVLSP / NACVSO / IACVAC. 

The Superintendent is the County’s Chief Advocate for Veterans and their immediate families or survivors to ensure receipt of benefits available from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, State and Local Benefits, and other Federal Benefits. Veteran / Family / Survivor advocacy with other local, State, & Federal assistance programs. 

Via client interview, identify and work with client(s) to obtain assistance and services available to the veteran, immediate family members and/or survivors.  

Financial assistance / services include but are not limited to: supportive and/or subsidized housing; financial assistance including, but not limited to Illinois Department of Human Services Programs, Social Security, Military Service Organization Assistance, Local Veterans Assistance, Township General or Emergency Assistance, and other local not-for-profit financial assistance / grant programs.  

Non-financial assistance programs include but are not limited to: Legal assistance, family medical care, mental health services, in home care/assistance, employment, job training and education, and small business start-ups.  

High level understanding of other agencies programs and requirements. The Superintendent is the lead on all VA Appeals, Appeals to the VAC Board of Appeals, and Appeals to the Public Aid Committee. The Superintendent is also responsible for responding to concerns expressed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and Law Enforcement Officials. 

Communicates the VAC’s vision and programs. This includes but is not limited; Community Outreach, Communicating with the Commission; Federal, State, and Local Agency officials; military service organizations, and other veterans advocacy groups; legislators and other elected or appointed officials; stakeholders and the general public; and team members. 

Client and Community Outreach – Provide the highest level of visibility and education about the services provided by the VAC. Attend and/or participate with various community service task forces including but not limited to; The State and National Associations, National, State, and local Task Forces on any number of Veterans Related issues, lead on providing community outreach programs for other agencies (example; VA subject matter expert providing continuing education for hospital social workers).  

Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Local, State, and Federal agencies to better understand services offered in order to assist clients who may need those services. 

Must be a Veteran

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

“Education Requirements” refers to job specific training and education required for entry into the position. 

Requires at a minimum, graduation from High School.

Desired level of education would be a Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.  

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

“Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations” refers to professional, state, or federal licenses, certifications, or registrations required to enter the position. 

Minimum: Requires the ability to attain accreditation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel (VA OGC); pass an FBI Background Check; acquire TRIP Certification; complete HIPPA Training; and complete VA Security Training 

Desired: The completion of all of the above and the issuance of a PIV card.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

“Experience Requirements” refers to the amount of work experience that is required for entry into the position that would result in reasonable expectation that the person can perform the tasks required by the position.  

Minimum: Certification as a VSO within a VAC, with all accompanying accreditations and background checks, and one year of experience processing claims as a VSO: or if not certified as a VSO within a VAC, a minimum of two years processing claims as a VSO in a Veteran’s Service Organization. Or two to three years of processing and/or evaluating medical claims for such programs as SSDI/SSI through the Social Security Administration, or similar governmental agency at the State or Federal level.

Desired: One year of prior experience as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, or as a supervisor of others Veterans Service Officers, or experience as a Department of Veterans Affairs employee involved in the processing of and/or evaluating of claims. The final determination of such qualifications is at the discretions of the Veterans Assistance Commission Board of Directors.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIREMENTS 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

“Physical Demands” refers to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. 

Requires light work involving standing or walking some of the time, exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular basis, and moderate dexterity in operating machinery, tools, or office equipment. 

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS

“Unavoidable Hazards” refers to unusual conditions in the work environment that may cause illness or injury. 

Nothing to disclose. 

SENSORY (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

“Sensory Requirements” refers to hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell necessary to perform the tasks required by the position efficiently. 

The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking abilities. 

 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE 

The State of Illinois and Sangamon County are Equal Opportunity Employers.  ADA requires the State and County to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

Salary Range (Full-time): $73,636.00 to $92,045.00 annually

This is an abridged description. For a more detailed description, send an email request to: veterans@sangamonil.gov

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