Veterans Service Officer (VSO)

Veterans Assistance Commission

Veterans Service Officer (VSO)

9/2/2026

9/17/2026

Sangamon County Veterans Assistance Commission is seeking interested and qualified applicants for the position of Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

The VSO advocates for veterans and their immediate families or survivors to ensure receipt of benefits available from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits include but are not limited to: Service Disability Claims; VA Pension Claims; Survivor Claims; Education Benefits and employment training; and Healthcare. Advocacy for veterans and their immediate families or survivors with Local, State, and Federal agencies. That assistance includes but is not limited to: Veterans Financial Assistance; Military Service Organization Assistance; Utilities Assistance Programs; Homeowner Assistance Programs; Homeless Assistance Programs; Family Medical Assistance Programs; Social Security; and other non-veteran specific programs based on the needs of the veteran and the family. The VSO assists in the training of Associate Veteran Service Officers (AVSOs), subordinate Veteran Service Officers (VSOs)as needed, administers the ‘VA Claims flow’ and monitors actions taken to ensure the timeliness of evidence submitted and the tracking of active claims within the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County (VACSC). 

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

Veteran/survivor advocacy before the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Review evidence including but not limited to: Military Service Records; Military Treatment Records; VA and Private Medical Records; Veteran/Survivor testimony; applicable VA related laws and regulations; US Government medical studies as it may apply to the veteran’s specific medical conditions; and related cases before the VA Board of Appeals (BVA)/US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (USCAVC); the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (USCAFC); or the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) as it may apply to the veterans unique condition. This often requires communicating with medical professionals, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff, & Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff. It may require appearing with the claimant before a BVA Judge. Under the supervision of the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent or the VSO may develop and prosecute appeals to; DRO Reviews, Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP), or the BVA. 

Veteran/Family/Survivor advocacy with other Local, State, & Federal assistance programs. Via the client interview, the VSO will 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 the 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. This requires a high level of understanding of other agencies programs and requirements. 

Client and Community Outreach – Under supervision of the Assistant Superintendent, attend outreach events and/or shut-in Veterans. 

Maintain VA Accreditation as required by the VA Office of General Counsel, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), and VACLC policy. This includes but is not limited to: Annual Continuing Education; Township General Assistance Training; continual passing of an FBI Background Check as required by the VA; annual Document and Client Security Training as required by the VA; and attending Department Service Officer Training. 

This list represents the essential qualifications required for employment:

The employee must be a citizen of the United States. Completion of the I-9 is required.

A veteran is preferred, though the position if open to family members of veterans and the general public if a qualified veteran is not found. A veteran is defined as any person who has been separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States after having served on active duty for at least 180 consecutive days, or by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty. 

The VSO/AVSA must be willing and able to travel in and/or out of state for at least a week, one to two times per year, for conferences/meetings/accreditation and continuing education units. Attire is expected to be business casual and formal attire is required for certain outreach events or meetings. 

A VSO must have reliable transportation to make it to the main office or satellite offices within Sangamon County, and be punctual. He/she must be able to attend the occasional outreach event on weekends when required.

Must be able to obtain required qualifications (subject to change without notice) of the position:

OGC Accreditation. It is preferred for the VSO/AVSO candidate have at least 1 year of experience as a VSO with concurrent VA-OCG Accreditation. If there is no candidate with current accreditation, they must be able to complete all training and become accredited within 1-year of hire.

Background Check. Candidate must pass an FBI background check and maintain a clean criminal record to be able to pass future background checks.

Driver’s License. Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain an IL State Driver’s License (except in cases of ADA compliance).

VBA Certifications. Must comply with all VBA annual training and certification requirements.

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. It is preferred that the candidate possess an associate degree or higher, 60 or more college credit hours, or equivalent work experience as determined by the Superintendent and VAC Board.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

Requires the following upon hire or the ability to complete the following within one year of hire: accreditation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel (VA OGC); ongoing FBI Background Checks; TRIP Certification for PIV Card; HIPPA Training; VA Security Training. Inability to have or attain the above may result in non-hire or termination.

Must possess and maintain a valid Class D Illinois Driver’s License, unless exempted by ADA.

Must achieve and maintain accreditation through National Association of County Veteran Service Officer (NACVSO) within first 12 months of employment. Failure to obtain and maintain accreditation would result in termination.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Requires knowledge of developing and processing claims, working within a budget, and working with various military service organizations and legislative groups. 

Requires considerable knowledge of: standard office procedures; management or supervisory methods, practices and techniques; records tracking; and operation of standard office equipment is required. Understanding of laws affecting the work of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) and specialized terminology related to activities of the VAC, or the ability to learn these is required.

 
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Below is a list of preferred experiences which would help a candidate applying for a Veteran Service Office Position. While these are not required, they provide a broad experience base with parallel learning and/or transferability of skills. These experiences would best be garnered through employment with the United States Military, veteran organizations, or Local, State or Federal agencies.

Basic military knowledge Business Administration 
Certified Veteran Advocate (CVA) Grant writing 
Legal writing Marketing/outreach 
Medicare/Medicaid Military Veterans Assistance Act (MVAA) 
Paralegal Peer support/Counseling 
Political Science/Civics Previous experience in the Not-for-profit sector 
Public Administration Public Health 
Social Security Social work/Mental Health

Skills

Annual salary range up to $68,021. 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. 

Work hours: Monday-Friday 830a-430p, FLSA non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week (evening/weekend meetings required on occasion)

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

Submit resume and application to:

Freddy Rocha, Superintendent, VAC of Sangamon County
200 S. 9th St
Springfield, IL 62701

or email to: View email address on us.fitly.work

Resume deadline is September 15, 2026

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