About DVS

The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s Veteran Community in order to foster purpose-driven lives for New York City Service Members – past and present – in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. DVS fulfills this mission by providing New York City’s approximately 200,000 Veterans with essential services and programs focused on pivotal areas such as economic empowerment, housing security, benefits, health and wellness, and culture.

DVS’s Veteran Specialists are primarily responsible for determining the eligibility of veterans and their family members for federal, State, and local veterans’ benefits. Veteran Specialists assist clients in assembling claims that are submitted to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Veteran Specialists engage with the veteran and military communities in the City of New York, including key veteran stakeholders and organizations to increase access to veteran resources, services and opportunities including, but not limited to VA disability compensation, VA pension, VA health care, and VA survivor’s benefits.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Veteran Support Services, the Veterans Specialist for Caregivers and Dependents will:

- Serve as a direct link between caregivers and dependents in NYC and DVS. The selected candidate will represent DVS in across the city and work out of 1 Centre Street.
- Communicate the concerns of caregiver and dependents community to DVS leadership, manage and maintain a presence at the DVS headquarters to connect caregivers and dependents to City, state and federal public and private resources.
- On an as needed basis, conduct outreach at community events either identified, assigned, or through
invitation. Proactively engage constituents at events by means of materials, dialogue, and providing
briefings.
- Obtain and maintain accreditation with the VA as a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) via the New York State Department of Veterans Services. VSO accreditation is necessary to file claims with the VA.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.