VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER 2
Career Family: VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER
Veterans Service Officer 2 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
It is a middle Veterans Service Officer grade, between Veterans Service Officer 3 below and the better-paid Veterans Service Officer 1 above. On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $69,668 to $101,951, and state payroll currently lists about 14 people in the title, most of them at Unknown.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Pay ladder: Veterans Service Officer series
- Veterans Service Officer 3 — $60,876 – $88,743
- Veterans Service Officer 2 — $69,668 – $101,951 (this title)
- Veterans Service Officer 1 — $79,844 – $117,228
Promoting to Veterans Service Officer 1 raises the top of the band by about $15,277. Its top salary lands around the 49th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 14 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $90,706. The agencies employing the most are:
- Unknown (14)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction of a Veterans' Service Officer 1 or other supervisory official in the Division of Veterans' Loans, Grants, and Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, acts as primary regional support assistant in the development, implementation, and evaluation of social services programs for veterans and their dependents; performs veterans claims adjudication and other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Coordinates the delivery of social service activities performed by health care providers and community service agencies; conducts outreach to ensure effective working relationships with these resources for the delivery of health care, counseling, and transportation services to veterans and their families. Investigates the eligibility of potential clients, as well as potential sponsors; provides assistance and support services to clients during the intake process. Advises and assists veterans and/or their family members in filing initial claims for state and federal entitlements/benefits; investigates ways to enhance the possibility of approval by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and assists with appeals of adverse adjudications on a regionwide basis. Reviews claims for veterans' entitlements and benefits prior to final submission to the DVA; may act as the "attorney of fact" (i.e., executes power of attorney) for a veterans' claim at a hearing or appeal before the DVA Board of Appeal or Adjudication. Conducts public relations activities with other governmental agencies, community groups, public officials, social service and veterans' organizations; maintains liaison with the aforementioned as a means of ensuring the continuance of a regionwide resource and referral network. As required, develops customized social service programs to address the needs of veterans; conducts liaison with community agencies as a means of developing future resources. Serves as assistant to the Veterans' Service Officer 1 and assumes the duties of the latter during absences. Conducts liaison with the federal Office of Veterans' Affairs and other national, state, and community agencies impacting the administration of veterans' benefits; is responsible for case management of entitlement claims and invokes appeal rights in response to adverse adjudications. Advises and counsels veterans or their families in regard to state and federal entitlement; provides assistance and/or referral services in filing claims through the acquisition of evidence and supporting documents needed to submit for approval. Reviews and evaluates specific claim cases; issues findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding options for further appeal/action; assists in the development of revised case management policies and procedures; ensures proper implementation of division policy. Maintains community resource network for health care, counseling, and transportation support services; advises supervisor of training needs of regional staff in regard to community based programs. Prepares case management investigative reports and correspondence. As required, may research claims activity and current state and federal laws pertaining to veterans' rights and entitlements and relates these to available community resources; based on the above, may propose procedural changes designed to enhance the ability to attain the appropriate level of veterans' benefits, compensation, and entitlements. As required, prepares technical correspondence, in the course of official duties. Prepares sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of veteran claims and benefit matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the techniques of interviewing persons of varied ages and ethnic background in order to obtain information needed to process claims for benefits and services. Knowledge of investigative case management procedures required to substantiate claims for veterans' benefits and services. Knowledge of the theory, principles, methods, equipment, and modern techniques of rehabilitation systems/social service programs for the disabled and other clients in accordance with case management plans. Knowledge of the techniques of interpersonal relations. Knowledge of basic interviewing and counseling techniques. Knowledge of public relations principles and techniques. Ability to interact with people who are in differing situations. Ability to apply theory, principles, methods, and modern techniques of social service programs to Veterans' Services clients. Ability to work effectively with staff, other state agencies, and the public. Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, records, and studies. Ability to analyze individual and general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based upon this analysis. Ability to apply federal and state laws pertaining to veterans' rights and entitlements. Ability to gain the confidence and support of interviewees, public officials, community organizations, and associates. Ability to present reports, claims, and/or appeals orally and/or in writing before appropriate boards and committees. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional program delivery experience in providing social services assistance for the disabled or other client population which may include the investigation, analysis, and evaluation of socio- economic situations. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Nursing, or other related areas; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.