The process has begun to find a full-time veterans’ service officer for the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs office in Emporia.
The Emporia position has been vacant since July, when the former service officer moved and funds were not available to hire a replacement.
“As soon as we were comfortable that the money was available, we advertised the position,” said Wayne Bollig, veterans’ service director for the state.
Bollig said that several “very good candidates” with experience already have contacted him.
Applications will be taken through Monday, and the selection process will begin within a day or two after the closing, Bollig said.
“I would say probably within 30 days, there could be someone permanently in place,” he said, estimating the optimum time frame to complete the hiring process. “Typically in the state system, you run a 30-day to 45-day process…”
Workers from service offices in the Wichita area have come to Emporia periodically to help veterans and their families resolve issues, apply for benefits, and answer questions.
State Sen. Jim Barnett said that he expects the state legislature this year to debate the possibility of having KCVA representatives operate in the field to serve people in rural areas who cannot get to office locations in the city.
“I think as the war goes on, and hopefully turns down, that makes good sense to me,” he said.