Hayden Velasquez
Duarte
Summary
Dedicated administrative and veteran services professional with a track record of leading training initiatives that improve department-wide service delivery. Expertise in coordinating presentations, safeguarding client information, and fostering interdepartmental collaboration to enhance operational efficiency.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Assistant II
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
West Covina
12.2025 - Current
- Serve as support staff for the Veterans Advisory Commission by recording official meeting minutes, coordinating presentations, and assisting with commission-related administrative functions.
- Coordinate department-wide presentations, trainings, and monthly staff meetings, including maintaining presenter logs, organizing speaker participation, introducing presenters, and serving as meeting emcee.
- Lead bi-weekly meetings as coordinator of the Veteran Services Representative III Training Committee, providing recommendations on training topics that support staff development and improve department-wide service delivery.
- Maintain detailed logs of completed trainings, presenters, and topics to support accountability, continuity, and future training planning.
- Deliver training to department staff on veteran services procedures, benefits-related topics, and operational best practices when needed.
- Participate as a member of the department Fundraiser Committee by helping plan and coordinate monthly fundraising events to support expenses for the annual holiday luncheon.
- Provide recommendations on data collection and data-sharing practices designed to protect sensitive client information.
Staff Assistant I
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
West Covina
10.2024 - 12.2025
- Provided administrative support by answering calls, scheduling appointments, managing correspondence, and supporting daily office operations.
- Prepared and organized documents, spreadsheets, and records using Microsoft Word and Excel to improve accessibility, tracking, and data management.
- Coordinated meetings by preparing agendas, supporting presentations, and assisting with communication between internal and external stakeholders.
- Ordered office supplies and managed inventory for the assigned field office, helping reduce supply shortages and improve budgeting accuracy.
- Mentored new hires through structured learning and skills development, helping improve customer service, staff confidence, and knowledge of veterans benefits procedures.
- Provided guidance and recommendations to supervisors from Veteran Services, Homeless Services, and Justice-Involved Divisions regarding departmental training topics and staff development needs.
Veteran Claim Assistant III
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
Monrovia
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Served as a senior-level veterans advocate responsible for assisting veterans, dependents, and survivors with understanding and accessing federal, state, and local benefits.
- Supported the development and implementation of veterans wellness programs by organizing field site operations and improving program accessibility.
- Organized quarterly events for the Monrovia Public Library Veteran Services Community Programs Committee, including Matinee for Veterans, Monthly Veterans Meetup, and Veterans Picnic.
- Conducted annual training on Veterans Administration disability compensation eligibility and appeals benefits to improve staff understanding and application of benefits procedures.
- Assisted clients with benefits related to disability compensation, pensions, education assistance, health care, burial benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
Veteran Claim Assistant II
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
10.2018 - 02.2024
- Advised and assisted veterans, dependents, and survivors with accessing veterans benefits, including disability compensation, pension, education, health care, burial, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
- Scheduled appointments, conducted follow-ups, and maintained client documentation using Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Responded to public inquiries regarding VA services, benefits, and available support programs.
- Provided customer service and case support to improve client satisfaction and access to veteran-related resources.
- Supported field office operations across multiple East San Gabriel Valley locations.
Veteran Claims Assistant I
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
Los Angeles
06.2017 - 10.2018
- Scheduled appointments for veterans and family members seeking assistance with VA services and benefits.
- Returned phone calls from members of the public requesting information regarding veterans benefits and available services.
- Greeted patrons at the front desk and provided customer service for general department services.
- Assisted with basic administrative duties, documentation, and client support functions.
Veteran Intern, Administrative Support
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
Los Angeles
11.2015 - 06.2017
- Provided administrative and clerical support to department staff assisting veterans and their families.
- Supported front desk operations, client intake, appointment scheduling, and general office functions.
- Assisted with phone coverage, document preparation, filing, and customer service duties.
Veteran Intern, Clerical Support
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner
Los Angeles
04.2013 - 11.2015
- Led the Transportation and Billing desk, supporting daily operations and communication with internal teams.
- Maintained billing documentation and tracked transportation records using Microsoft Excel to support accurate financial operations.
- Issued collection notices for delinquent accounts at 30, 60, and 90 days.
- Addressed inquiries regarding transportation fees for deceased persons to provide clarity and assist families during sensitive times.
- Referred outstanding cases to Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector for proper handling and timely follow-up.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA06-2026
Skills
- Office management
- Customer Service
- Meeting Facilitation
- Committee Coordination
- Presentation Coordination
- Training & Mentorship
- VA Benefits Expertise
- Microsoft Office
- Data & Confidentiality
- Staff Engagement
Additional Background
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (Iraq Deployment 2009)
Core Skills
Scheduling, Records management, Data entry, Inventory control, Correspondence, Document preparation, Public contact, Customer service, Meeting facilitation, Presentation coordination, Staff engagement, Staff training, Committee coordination, Training logs, Mentoring, Meeting leadership, VA benefits assistance, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, Claims support, Case management, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Spreadsheets, Document tracking, Data logs, Client records, Sensitive information handling, Data collection recommendations, Data-sharing practices
Timeline
Staff Assistant II
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
12.2025 - Current
Staff Assistant I
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
10.2024 - 12.2025
Veteran Claim Assistant III
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
03.2024 - 09.2024
Veteran Claim Assistant II
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
10.2018 - 02.2024
Veteran Claims Assistant I
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
06.2017 - 10.2018
Veteran Intern, Administrative Support
Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs
11.2015 - 06.2017
Veteran Intern, Clerical Support
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner
04.2013 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of La Verne