Veterans Counselor​/Certifying Official

Overview

Under the general supervision of the Director, Veterans Resource Center, the Veterans Counselor/Certifying Official will perform the duties of the Certifying Official of the Veterans Administration (VA) Education Benefits Program, which includes the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program, the Educational GI Bill for veterans (or dependents) of deceased or disabled veterans, and the Reserve Bill. In addition, this position will be responsible for knowledge and implementation of current policies, regulations, and procedures administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs;

the incumbent will be responsible for informing students of changes in VA policies and regulations, advising students of their educational rights, and providing general academic counsel.

• Counsel to prospective and enrolled student veterans and dependents by offering a single point of contact for coordination of all University services.
• Advisor to the Veterans Student Organization.
• Academic advising/degree progress check-ins with each GI Bill student.
• Advises students with career planning and goals setting for degree program.
• Serves as main point of contact to VA officials who conduct audits of VA student records, conduct presentations on steps needed to receive VA education benefit certification, and enrollment and student records related matters.
• Serves as contact/liaison for the general public, students, and campus community for all inquiries.
• Conducts outreach and recruitment to the community colleges for prospective students.
• Maintains existing partnerships and creates new campus connections.
• Counsels/advises students on the STEM-related major application, qualifications, and implementation of their education benefits as well as the financial benefits and implications of receiving the STEM extension.
• Performs duties as VA Certifying Official in partnership with the Office of the Registrar, Bursar’s Office, and Financial Aid & Scholarship Office to ensure timely and accurate processing of enrollment and benefit records with the VA.
• Debt reconciliation and adjustments between Bursars and VA (account management).
• Maintains accurate student records and files for VA auditing purposes and enrollment verification for GI Bill certifications.
• Uses or completes basic forms to keep the VA informed, such as enrollment certification (VA Form 22-1999), Notice of Change in Student Status (VA Form 22-199b), and monitors the courses pursued by a student to certify to VA only those courses that apply the student’s program; attends mandated VA meetings.
• Stays abreast of government policies/regulations/federal mandates/ed codes.
• Attends professional development conferences on an annual basis to stay abreast of required policies/mandates/state regulations/federal requirements.
• Runs reports of students who are on academic probation and disqualified a will be provided and reported to the VA every semester. This is a new requirement by the VA and it must be conducted every semester in order to stay compliant with the Colmery Act.
• Starting August 1st, students in STEM-related majors will be able to apply for an extension to their VA education benefits. With the implementation of the STEM extension of benefits, there will be required to process more VA education benefits certifications.
• Tracking of all GI Bill certifications conducted for all chapters (CH33, CH31, CH35, CH30, CH1606).

• Thorough knowledge of Veterans’ educational benefits; including Veterans, Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard and dependents.
• Familiarity with VA certification and military benefits.
• Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the university infrastructure.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply a variety of county, state, federal, CSU, and SJSU policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures independently and use judgment and discretion to act when precedents do not exist.
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills and excellent customer service and public relations skills.
• Knowledge of core office software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, VA Once and Peoplesoft.
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment.
• Ability to handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects.
• Knowledge of GI bills, Federal, State, and County laws and guidelines related to veterans, military members, and their families.
• Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports.
• Knowledge of relevant governmental organizational structures such as the VA for the purpose of advocating and assisting veterans, military service members, and their dependents.
• Ability to work with a diverse student body and foster sensitivity to diverse issues in a university setting.
• Thorough mastery of English grammar, business writing, punctuation and spelling.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with students, employees, and…