VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER 3
Career Family: VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER
Veterans Service Officer 3 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.
On pay it sits at the foot of the Veterans Service Officer ladder. One promotion up is Veterans Service Officer 2, whose band tops out about $13,208 higher. On paper it calls for a bachelor's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $60,876 to $88,743, and state payroll currently lists 3 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 (this title)
- Veterans Service Officer 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Veterans Service Officer 1 — $79,844 – $117,228
Promoting to Veterans Service Officer 2 raises the top of the band by about $13,208. Its top salary lands around the 31st 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 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $58,818. The agencies employing the most are:
- Unknown (3)
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 general direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Veterans Affairs, acts as veterans' advocate and is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of entitlements programs, living arrangements, and related social services for clients and the veterans' community; does other related work.
Examples of work
Provides advice and assistance to veterans and their families and assists them to obtain evidence, documents, and other information required to prepare claims; when applications have been disapproved, assists veterans in supplementing their applications for benefits. Acts as case manager for the duration of each claim. Coordinates activities between health care centers and the department. Assists in the selection of clients to be placed in programs. Advises veterans or their families of state and federal entitlements; appears before local government entities on behalf of those claiming veterans entitlement; assists in the appeal of adverse adjudication. Develops and maintains effective relationships with public and other governmental agencies to cooperate with veterans programs. Interprets and applies federal and state laws and regulations regarding veterans' rights; develops and maintains a community resource network to provide health care, counseling, and transportation support services to veterans. Conducts field visits for the purpose of explaining state and federal entitlements. Determines eligibility for and authorizes state pensions, state educational entitlements, and POW license plates according to statutes and procedures; obtains and evaluates required documents for state programs. Advises and counsels veterans to secure employment, reemployment and training, and refers veterans to federal, state, and local job services, and to private employers; advises and counsels veterans applying for state Civil Service positions under veterans' preference regulations and represents veterans during appeals of veterans' preference decisions. Determines eligibility and authorizes entitlement to state veterans transportation program; counsels veterans who may be suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. Prepares correspondence. Prepares reports on veteran matters and specific veteran claim cases. Maintains 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 methods and procedures used to gather, assemble, and arrange data for reference and in developing cases. Knowledge of the methods to collect, correlate, compile, and tabulate data. Knowledge of the application of social psychology in making contacts with persons and in gaining their confidence and support. Knowledge of the techniques of interviewing persons of varied ages and ethnic backgrounds. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of rehabilitation systems/social service programs for the disabled and other clients. 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 from different socioeconomic situations. Ability to apply federal and state laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures established for providing various types of benefits and services. Ability to analyze veterans' claims and related problems. Ability to apply methods techniques of social service programs for disabled and other patients/clients. Ability to investigate claims for veterans' benefits and services. Ability to read and interpret the law, and regulations, and provide for varied types of benefits and services to veterans and to apply them to specific situations. Ability to work effectively with associates and other interested parties concerned with the rights of benefits for veterans. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with public officials and others relating to the welfare of veterans. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare reports of veteran claims and benefits matters. Ability to maintain records and files. 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 particular 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. Five (5) years of professional program delivery experience in providing education, rehabilitation, and/or social services assistance for the disabled or other client population which may include the investigation, analysis, and evaluation of socioeconomic situations. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.