Statement of Duties
The Director of Veterans Services works under the administrative direction of the Deputy Director of Health and Human Services, and in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.
Essential Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
- As a Veterans’ Services Director, per M.G.L. Ch. 115, sec. 3, receives and processes applications for veterans’ benefits, financial and medical assistance payments for qualified needy veterans and their dependents, in accordance with Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 108.
- As a Veterans’ Burial Agent, prepares and pays eligible claims for the proper burial and interment charges of indigent veterans or their dependents as per M.G.L., Ch. 115, sec. 7.
- As a Veterans’ Graves Registration Officer, maintains recorded list of veteran deaths within the City, showing date and cause of death, location of grave, name and location of cemetery and dates of wartime service, per M.G.L. Ch. 115, sec. 9.
- Creates a Veterans Services Center model of engagement for the City of Somerville through the use of on-site drop-in hours for Veterans and their families, utilization of HHS divisions to provide additional supports, referrals, and strategic community outreach/engagement opportunities.
- Leads the Veterans Services team and provides supervision to staff.
- Serves as the face of the department and takes the lead role in opening and speaking at public events.
- Partners closely with the Council on Aging (COA) to support the needs of Veteran participants and staffs the COA Veterans Group.
- Works with the Somerville Public Schools to create partnership opportunities.
- Attends training seminars and conferences as required.
- Obtains and maintains certification as required by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.
- Supports the administration of various Veterans’ benefits available to veterans and their dependents, including pensions, compensation, hospitalization, outpatient treatment, housing, education, burial and other benefits available under federal and state programs, and from various non-profit entities.
- Conducts investigations and qualifies client claims; authorizes payments; performs follow-up activities to ensure appropriate use of benefits and assistance.
- Provides support, referrals and counseling to veterans and their dependents to appropriate agencies or services providers; assistance and benefit opportunities; assists with applications and other forms, and in acquiring documentation needed to prove veteran benefits eligibility.
- Prepares accurate reports to state agencies for municipal reimbursements; ensures that applications and reports conform to state regulations.
- Prepares and administers division budget, organizes and coordinates memorial activities for veterans including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans’ Day activities.
- Ensures that memorial squares and monuments are decorated for appropriate memorial occasions and ceremonies.
- Serves as staff to the Veteran’s Commission on Monuments, Memorials, and Dedications.
- Seeks out grant funding opportunities to support the work of the department.
- Builds relationships with others to look at regional work and collaboration potential.
- Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.
