Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

Job Duties

Otter Tail County is now accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Assistant / Receptionist in the New York Mills Veterans Services Office. The purpose of this position is to provide clerical and administrative support for the department and assist veterans and their dependents in applying for state and federal benefits for which they are eligible.

Applications will be accepted until 4:30pm on July 2nd, 2026. The tentative interview date for this position is July 14th, 2026.

Examples of Duties:

• Performs receptionist duties for all office contacts, screens and routes phone calls and walk-ins to appropriate staff. Answers inquiries from the general public relating to any active military duty, National Guard, Ready Reserve, military retiree and veteran benefits subjects.

• Performs initial contact interviews for clients seeking access to Veteran entitlements. Help clients make informed decisions on best ways to satisfy their needs.

• Work with clients to develop claims, enrollment in benefit programs, applications for medical/dental/optical care, grant applications, as well as arrange assistance from non-Veteran agencies to assist the client where Veteran entitlements may run short of need.

• Assist clients access the VA healthcare system; determines eligibility criteria; obtains supporting documentation; assists veterans in completing enrollment application; submits application with documentation to VA eligibility; provides referrals to outside agencies.

• Consults with VA business office in response to inquiries and disputes over eligibility, billing statements, co-pays, pharmacy issues & other health insurance issues.

• Provides referral assistance on behalf of County veterans and families to various county, state and federal agencies, when appropriate, for physical or mental healthcare, chemical dependency conditions, legal services, financial aid, educational training, and employment.

• Assists veterans in procuring delinquent medals and awards, discharge upgrades, and correction of official military records; assists family survivors of veterans with genealogy research by obtaining relevant documents from the National Personnel Records Center.

• Manage burial benefits, provides funeral homes with discharges, and order death certificates.

• Maintains and updates knowledge of veteran’s benefits rules and regulations by attending continuing education seminars and conferences.

• Performs administrative support; prepares reports and correspondence; establishes and maintains filing system; processes incoming and outgoing mail. Perform data entry in VetraSpec (veteran’s database).

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

Supplemental Information:

This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 p.m. The 2026 starting salary for this position is $20.85 per hour, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $33.46 per hour.

The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalists will be required to pass reference checks and a background investigation. A standard twelve-month probationary period applies.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, go to: ottertailcounty.gov/employment/. On-line applications are stored on a secure site. Only you and authorized employees of Otter Tail County have access to the information submitted.

When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.

Veterans Preference

Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.

Background Investigation

All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.

Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.

Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.

Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Minimum Education Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• General office or administrative support experience

• Driver's License valid in Minnesota

Minimum Experience Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Qualified candidates will also possess:

o Effective communication skills

o Problem-solving skills and ability to multitask

o Aptitude to empathize with clients

o Self-motivated with teamwork skills

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Compensation

$20.85 - $33.46 / Hourly

Postal Code

56567

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

10:06/26

Job Benefits

Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.