Veterans Assistance Commission- Assistant Superintendent

Veterans Assistance Commission

Veterans Assistance Commission- Assistant Superintendent

7/20/2026

8/8/2026

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, in conjunction with the duties of the Superintendent.  Employees may be assigned additional duties by management as required.  

Help 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.  

Help 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. 

Assist in the direction and oversight of 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. 

Help 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 as directed 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  

Assist with the negotiation or approval of 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. 

The Assistant Superintendent will act as a primary supervisor of the VAC staff (VSO’s, administrative staff, VA interns, etc.) per the MVAA and the Sangamon County VAC Bylaws and as directed by the Superintendent. 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 

Ensure 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. The Assistant Superintendent will fulfill that role in the absence of the Superintendent. 

Via client interview, identify and work with client(s) to obtain assistance and services available to the veteran, immediate family members and/or survivors. The Assistant Superintendent will maintain a caseload to keep current on claims processing procedures so as to be able to train incoming personnel. 

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. The Assistant Superintendent will be able to act in place of the Superintendent as needed.

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).  

Help 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. 

Requires at a minimum, graduation from High School.

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

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.

Minimum: Certification as a VSO with the VA, whether with a VAC or a Veteran’s organization, with all accompanying accreditations and background checks, and at least 6 months as a VSO in a VAC or 12 months as a VSO with a Veteran’s Organization. Or one to two 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 to two years of experience as a VSO, or 6 months experience as either 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 discretion of the Superintendent, with input from the VAC as a whole.

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. 

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

Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m., FLSA non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week (evening/weekend meetings required on occasion)

Salary & Benefits:  Salary range: $64,026 to $80,033/per year.  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.

Interested persons should send a resume and cover letter by August 7, 2026 to Martin Fruchtul at the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County, 300 S. 9th St, Springfield, IL 62701.

This is an abridged description. For a more detailed description, send an email request to: View email address on sangamonil.gov

Resume Deadline:  August 7, 2026 by 4:30p.m.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County is an EEO Employer

None