Deputy Director Of Veteran Affairs (temporary Position) at Cooks County Government in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

OVERVIEW

Cook County's Department of Veteran's Affairs is seeking a Deputy Director of

Veteran Affairs to join our team. This is a temporary appointment not-to-exceed

three (3) years.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition

of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly

45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital

services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the

region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is

committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that

public service has to offer.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for

career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in

the public sphere, including:

Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental

Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans

Flexible Teleworking Options

Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of

10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick

leave)

Pension Plan

Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending

Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking,

PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend

Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee

Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact

Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY:

Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs

o 2nd largest county in America

o Larger than 27 states

Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.

o Nearly 80% unionized workforce

o 15 unions represented

o 63 separate collective bargaining agreements

Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.

Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and

distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.

Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas

to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION:

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area

has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps

away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced

by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking

garages for motorist, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclist.

ROLE SUMMARY Under the direction of the Director of Veterans Affairs, assists with management of the operations, infrastructure, and internal staff for the Department of Veterans Affairs within the Bureau of Administration. Assists with the preparation and review of formulating, implementing and interpreting policy and procedures relating to planning and drafting of programs with local, state and Federal Veterans Assistance Programs. Establishes strong relationships with various non-for-profit and government Veteran groups/associations to provide and collaborate with external and internal partners ensuring the department leverages/connects Veterans to all available resources. Provides strategic planning, program administration and outreach efforts. Formulates programs and drafts legislation on behalf of the President to provide the County's position on proposed legislation related to Veterans at the State and Federal levels. Maintains working relationships with state and federal Veterans Assistance Programs and assists the Director to collaborate with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County and other agencies across the state ensuring qualified veterans receive assistance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Manages Veteran Affairs programming. Designs, implements, and manages an internship program to augment staff and provide additional resources. Assists in establishing and managing a Cook County Veteran Service Officers Corp, which will deploy Veteran Service Officers throughout Cook County. Provides information for assistance to all Veteran residents enabling them to receive benefits and aid to which they may be entitled under law. Assists with establishing the department's vision and defining goals, objectives, and performance metrics. Collects data, prepares reports, and monitors progress towards department's goals and objectives.

Assists with the preparation of the annual budget and monitors the financial management of the office. Monitors relationships with other Cook County departments, external service providers and other community stakeholders including outreach efforts. Hosts County sponsored Veteran outreach events and represented the County at external outreach events. Assists in overseeing the Veteran Assistance Commission of Cook County.

Develops communication tools for the veteran community including newsletters, social media posts, and roundtables.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

General Knowledge of Federal, state, and local Veterans Affairs and/or organizations relating to the assistance of Veterans and their families. Knowledge of outreach and support methods and techniques. Knowledge of office management principles, supervisory and training techniques and military branches, positions, and ranks. Skill in financial management and budgetary preparation. Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy with the public and in a professional manner either by telephone or in-person. Ability to act independently making decisions and addressing problems in the absence of the Director of Veterans Affairs. Ability to manage staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a high school diploma or GED certificate PLUS two (2) years' prior experience related to managing or coordinating a Veterans Affairs or similar government service program. Status as a veteran in good standing, in one of the five branches of the United States' Armed Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Public Administration, or other related field PLUS two (2) years' experience managing or coordinating a Veterans Affairs program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

POST OFFER TESTING: This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a

background check, drug screen and medical examination.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY: Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-1 and Cook County's Mandatory COVID-19

Vaccination Policy, the selected candidate will be required to either submit proof of full vaccination or a request for

reasonable accommodation prior to the start of employment. Please click the following hyperlinks for the full text of

Executive Order 2021-1 and the Cook County's Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons

or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if

you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency

within Cook County.