Aps 5 Veteran Support Officer

Salary Range: $88,923 - $92,670 + Attractive Superannuation

The Veteran Support Officer (VSO) role forms an integral part of a team with establishment and functioning of embedded DVA services on military bases. This presence acts as a hub for DVA VSOs to work from, delivering a high level of personalised service in accessing DVA supports and services, information briefings and updates to the veteran community inclusive of current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), their families and representatives of ex-service organisations.
The VSO will also work as part of a team to provide outreach services to variety of locations inclusive of ADF bases, industry employers, ex-service organisations and regional communities of identified need.

The position carries with it the responsibility for ensuring that the reputation of DVA within the wider community remains of good standing, as it is likely to be the first direct contact that a member and his/her family have with the Department. VSOs will work with Team Leaders, often in an autonomous manner, to achieve directed tasks and ensure that DVA’s business targets are met. In this they work closely with other support elements and processing areas within DVA.

The VSO must present well, be highly professional, understand the Defence community context in relation to supports and services available from DVA, be well-organised in managing multiple tasks, and have the ability to empathise with clients’ situations, providing support in sometimes complex and sensitive circumstances.

The VSO must have a good appreciation for veterans and veterans’ family individual circumstances, working to provide expert advice at the right time with an ability to translate this into guidance for next steps in achieving business as usual arrangements with DVA. The role requires excellent organisational skills, and an ability to communicate with a broad range of stakeholder and veterans.

**Duties**
- Provide high quality personalised service to current and formers members of the Australian Defence Force in line with the DVA Cultural Vision and in line with the national VSO Policies, Procedures & Key Performance Indicators as implemented.
- Demonstrate leadership, mentorship, guidance on matters relevant to DVA services and entitlements.
- Provide advice and interpretation, including in writing, on complex aspects of legislation to clients and colleagues.
- Develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders including Command elements, ADF Rehabilitation Program (ADFRP), Veteran Employment Industry, ex-service organisations (ESOs) to enhance service delivery to the veteran community.
- Work closely with relevant areas of Defence, including the Joint Transition Authority, to support the delivery of services and activities which may be accessed/considered during the relevant stages of transition.
- Provide early identification of persons at risk or with high needs for referral support to DVA’s Client Support Program.
- Perform representational and outreach activities, including presentations to ADF seminars, veteran advocate training sessions as required.

**Eligibility**
- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
- All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

**Mandatory Requirements**
- Capacity to travel and ability to undertake overnight travel and work after hours and on weekends (if required).
- Applicants must be willing to work on ADF bases.
- A current full or provisional Australian driver’s licence
- Currently hold a valid Australian Government Security Vetting Agency - Baseline Security Clearance (or the ability to obtain a Baseline clearance)

**Notes**

Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to18 months.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

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