NSO (Apprentice)

Job Description

Job Description

Department / Location :

Service / NSO Offices “Nationwide”

Job Title :

National Service Officer Apprentice

Reports To : NSO Supervisor

Salary Grade : Grade 10

($20.18 - $31.39 / hour)

Type of position :

ý Full-time o Part-time

Hours : 40 hr / week

o Exempt ý Nonexempt

Job Summary : The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

This position encompasses the initial training period to achieve the designation of National Service Officer (NSO). The NSO Apprentice will study and train (via DAV’s on-the-job training program) to act as a representative for individual veterans (and their families) pursuing disability claims and other benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and, on occasion, other government entities.

Essential Functions :

• Acquire and maintain knowledge of all laws and regulations pertaining to veterans benefits through regular review of the Code of Federal Regulations and other publications and, where appropriate, decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
• Learn how to conduct detailed interviews of veterans to elicit information so that all potential benefits can be identified.
• Review service records and other pertinent data, including medical records, to identify and / or assess validity of claims and potential claims.
• Learn to determine whether additional evidence may be needed to support a particular claim; provide advice to veteran concerning same.
• Learn to determine the risks and benefits of filing a particular claim.
• Learn to assess whether the evidentiary support available for a given claim meets the requirements of 38 CFR § 14.633, which incorporates the rule on “frivolous claims” as adopted by the American Bar Association in Model Rule 3.1.
• Practice preparing all submissions required to initiate and advance the claim, including, without limitation, briefs and similar documents analyzing the application of appropriate regulations to the facts of a given case.
• Practice monitoring the progress of a claim from submission to resolution, dealing with VA adjudicators as required to advance the claim and keeping the claimant advised of significant developments.
• Learn to advise the claimant, where appropriate, of administrative and judicial appeal options for claims denied in whole or part and, when requested, provide the claimant with specific advice concerning likely bases of appeal (if any).
• Practice representing claimants before military and VA hearing panels and boards, presenting evidence and legal argument and, as necessary, examining and cross-examining witnesses.
• Learn to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish clientele workload.
• Communicate professionally and diplomatically with people inside / outside the organization.
• Learn to recruit new DAV members to further support and enhance DAV’s mission of service.
• Perform other administrative and outreach activities as directed by the office Supervisor.

Essential Skills and Experience :

Degree of Supervision :

Physical Demands and Work Environment : The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here 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 functions.