NSO (Apprentice)

National Service Officer Apprentice

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position encompasses the initial training period to achieve the designation of National Service Officer (NSO). The NSO Apprentice will study and train 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:

• High school diploma (or equivalent).
• Must be found eligible and entitled to receive services through VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service under the established National Memorandum of Agreement containing DAV's On-The-Job Training Program for National Service Officers except in situations where hiring a non-eligible candidate serves an important DAV business purpose.
• Must be a member in good standing of the DAV.
• Excellent communication skills.
• General knowledge of legal and/or medical terminology preferred.
• General understanding of business/administrative procedures and systems such as managing clientele files and records, cash ledgers, and quality customer service is helpful.
• A valid motor vehicle driver's license (other than motorcycle) is preferred.
• Functional user of standard business computer, Microsoft Office software suite, and various computerized record systems/databases to retrieve automated veterans' records.

Degree of Supervision:

Works under the direct and ongoing supervision of Supervisory National Service Officer and/or other personnel assigned to conduct training; Apprentice exercises no supervisory responsibilities.

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.

Physical Demands: Job requires sitting up to eight hours a day and standing up to two to four hours a day. Body movement primarily in hand and arm functions associated with normal office activities. Hand and eye coordination, and hand dexterity is required for handwriting and keyboarding over prolonged periods of time. Requires occasional lifting and/or carrying of no more than 25 pounds, and bending, squatting, pushing and pulling.

Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. Position may require minimal travel for training (advance authorization from National Service Director required). NSOs must be willing to relocate (nationwide) based on the needs of the DAV and provide written affirmation likewise.