Administrator - Veterans Affairs

The Administrator is responsible for the direction and leadership of operational, financial, program and personnel activities for Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Veteran Affairs. This individual oversees the administration of the Second Class County code pertaining to services for veterans and their families. This includes working with veterans and their families to secure their rights in matters relating to their person, property and care of family under any of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States, and the County of Montgomery administering the provisions related to burial of deceased service persons and their widows/widowers, furnishing markers and arranging for headstones for their graves, compiling and maintaining the Montgomery County Veterans' Grave Registration Record and providing that information to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and assisting the County in cooperating with Pennsylvania's Deputy Adjutant General in charge of Veterans' Affairs in matters relating to veterans and their families. In addition, this position represents the County and its interests by participating in meetings, programs, and ceremonies held by various veterans' service organizations, boroughs, townships, and community organizations.

This position is situated in the program offices of the Department of Health and Human Services which uses a person-centered, holistic and integrated approach to collaboratively provide an accessible network of resources that support Montgomery County residents. As a member of the Health and Human Services Cabinet, the Administrator works collaboratively with all other HHS Offices. Work is performed with a high degree of independent administrative judgment exercised within a broad framework of existing laws/regulations/policies.

Additional responsibilities include supervision of management staff, program and policy development, implementation and monitoring of state and federal mandates and regulations, personnel management, performance evaluations, and other administrative duties to assure effective and efficient delivery of supports to veterans. Completes all other tasks as assigned by Director of Health and Human Services.

Reporting to the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administrator:
* Effectively builds, maintains and leads a positive, high-performing, outcomes-driven team through effective recruiting, training, performance management, coaching, team building and succession planning.
* Effectively upholds, cultivates and communicates HHS core values, culture and strategic imperatives, ensuring they are operationalized in all areas of oversight.
* Develops and manages initiatives with measurable outcomes.
* Works with the Office of Performance and Planning to implement valid, reliable, and scalable processes to capture outcomes for use in quality improvement and value-based contracting.
* Demonstrates proactive problem solving and ensures management of issues and trends * Maintains alignment with Director of HHS and Office of Strategy Management.
* Other duties as assigned.

SPECIALIZED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Represent the County by participating and leading meetings, programs and ceremonies held by various veterans' service organizations, local municipalities, multi-disciplinary teams, and community organizations.
* Direct, manage and supervise the office and its staff to ensure veterans and their families are provided with competent and efficient assistance in obtaining of the services and benefits due to them in accordance with all applicable federal, state and county laws, policies, and
regulations.
* Manage the shuttle van program, its budget, policies, and personnel.
* Ensure strategies are in place to inform County residents of services offered by the department, as well as those available by other County public-serving offices.
* Develop and implement innovative programs to best serve the County's Veteran Community.
* Direct the daily operation of the office, including planning, organizing, assigning, and evaluating the work of the respective employees.
* Serve as an advocate for the interests of veterans and their families and coordinate actions on their behalf across department lines with appropriate federal/state/county/local agencies and appointed/elected officials to expedite the development of claims and to assist veterans and their families to receive all services and benefits available to them from other agencies.
* Reviews, analyzes, and develops office policies and operating procedures.
* Performs public contact work in gathering information, resolving complaints, engendering support, and providing information.
* Responsible for preparing and presenting proposed annual department budget.
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County departments, public officials, veterans service organizations, staff, and general public to include membership in various committees, boards, and task forces.
* Authorize payments of County veterans' burial benefits for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses and for Memorial Day reimbursements for veterans' service organizations.
* Determine number of flags required to decorate veterans graves each Memorial Day, order and coordinate distribution with various veterans' service organizations the distribution and placement of flags at cemeteries/memorials.
* Attend training sessions scheduled by U.S. Veterans Affairs and Veteran Service Officer sponsoring organization to maintain accreditation for self and office to represent veterans and their families.
* Make presentations to veterans' organizations and civic groups regarding veterans' issues and benefits.
* Respond to congressional inquiries made on behalf of veterans/families.
* Serve as a liaison to liaison to federal/state legislators regarding veterans' legislation to more effectively/adequately serve veterans' needs.
* Maintain security and confidentiality of veterans' records as per Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations.
* Responsible for keeping the County advised of changes in legislation/regulations which may affect the operation of the department.
* Coordinate participation of the Veterans Treatment Court Team.
* Research and make application for government grants, foundation grants, and report on their use to grant agencies.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Bachelor's Degree or a minimum of 5 years related experience in varied public contact work in the area of Veterans Affairs.
* Completion of service in a branch of the United States Armed Services, or the Pennsylvania National Guard with an honorable separation from same.
* Applicant must be able to obtain Veteran Service Office accreditation within one year of hiring.\

PREFERRED SKILLS
* Budgetary/Fiscal skills.
* Effective interpersonal, verbal & written communication skills.
* Negotiation/conflict resolution skills.
* Organization & time management skill.
* Problem solving skills/techniques.
* Short- and long-range planning techniques.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
* Excellent analytical and planning skills.
* Excellent supervisory skills.
* Excellent presentation skills.
* Experience with grant writing and research is a plus.
* Computer proficiency required for basic computer programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Word, and Outlook.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.? Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; talk and hear.? The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.? The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.? Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Physical Requirements Will be required to travel extensively throughout the County

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.