Assisting young adults with ID/DD to live, learn, and work in the community.

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ID/DD encompasses both intellectual disability (ID) and developmental disability (DD), which are distinct but often overlapping categories. These disabilities can affect an individual's ability to learn and function in daily life.

What does ID/DD mean?

A job coach is a professional who helps people prepare for and find employment. At Mandy’s Farm VAMOS program we specialize in working with individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Job coaches provide guidance, support, and training to help individuals develop skills, navigate the job market, and succeed in their chosen career path.

VAMOS job coaches attend work with an individual and:
demonstrate unfamiliar tasks
help breakdown tasks into simple steps
provide support with emotional regulation
model professionalism and time management
practice conversations like how to advocate for yourself and provide the encouragement and support to then have those conversations

VAMOS job coaches also teach topics in a classroom setting such as:
How to build a resume
Interview skills
Soft skills
Coping techniques
Post-secondary options
Career exploration 
Basic literacy and math skills
And much more!

What is a job coach? What do you do?

Soft skills, also known as people skills or emotional intelligence, help people interact effectively with others. They are transferable across roles, and include things like communication, problem solving, collaboration, and conflict resolution. This is in comparison to hard skills, which are specific, measurable, and job-related skills acquired through education, training, or experience such as typing speed, the ability to fix a car, or how to cook a dish.

What is a soft skill?

This is an opportunity to be paid to serve your community! This position is fun and rewarding. Every day is different, and members may learn as much as the participants do. Individuals interested in disability services, vocational rehabilitation, mentoring, teaching and facilitation, or a career in the nonprofit sector may find this service opportunity to be an excellent learning experience. This position is also great for recent college graduates who want to pay down their student loans, recent high school graduates looking to get a head start on paying for college, or people transitioning into new careers. If you want a career as a teacher, social worker, direct support professional, disability services provider, behavioral technician, job coach, or just enjoy helping people then this is the position for you!

Why choose to serve as an AmeriCorps member with VAMOS?

The living allowance is $940 pre-tax paid out biweekly from Mandy's Farm through check or direct deposit, as long as a minimum number of hours are worked that pay period as described in the AmeriCorps contract. Taxes are removed as if it's regular income.

Members also earn an education award at the end of their contract depending on number of hours served.

How does the living allowance work? How much is it?

The education award varies depending on number of hours served. The education awards for the 2025-2026 award year (for the contract hours we offer) are as follows:

Half-time; 900 hours; $3,697.50
Reduced half-time; 675 hours; $2,817.14
Quarter-time; 450 hours; $1,956.35
Minimal-time and Summer Associate; 300 hours; $1,565.08

How much is the education award?

Apply to be a VAMOS member 

We are currently recruiting members for the Summer program! Our school year program runs from September 2nd 2025 through May 22nd 2026, with our Summer program running from May 26th through August 7th 2026.

What time period are you recruiting for?

For our 2025-2026 Program Year, we run on the following schedule:

Monday: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

For training weeks the schedule is:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

What are the program hours?

For our 2025 program year, program primarily takes place at the Mandy's Farm office (7511 4th St, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, 87107). We also have outings and volunteering throughout the community, but we meet at our office location and provide transportation to each site.

Where is the service location?

AmeriCorps members should be well groomed and dressed appropriately for the service location. Most days this will be the 4th St office, but on days with outings, that may be anything from a barn to a formal office. We will provide advanced notice of location, and encourage members to be properly equipped with items such as hats, water bottles, or sunscreen as needed. At all times and on all sites during service, it is required that members be dressed in clothing or accessories that clearly display the AmeriCorps “A.” AmeriCorps members at Mandy’s Farm will be provided four t-shirts and two AmeriCorps pins, and are expected to wear them daily. 
 
The following items are considered inappropriate service attire at Mandy’s Farm: 
Spaghetti-strapped shirts or strapless shirts
Short skirt or shorts (use discretion in determining length)
Sheer clothing
T-shirts with inappropriate or offensive gestures or advertising 
Hats with inappropriate or offensive gestures or advertising

Is there a dress code or uniform?

Be age 18 years of age or older at the time of service
Have a High School Diploma or GED at the time of service
Be willing and able to provide personal care, assistance, and behavioral support for young adults with developmental disabilities
Pass a state and nationwide background check
Have reliable transportation
Be able to provide 3 forms of ID (photo ID, social security card and birth certificate/passport)

What are the requirements to serve as a VAMOS AmeriCorps member?

VAMOS stands for Vocational Access and Meaningful Opportunities for Success. Our values are as follows.

Community
We are committed to collaborating with and meeting the needs of our community to create positive change.

Connection
We are committed to building a sense of belonging and inclusion for all individuals in our community to build social capital and meaning in the lives of those we support.

Inclusion
We prioritize access and equity for people with disabilities, acknowledging that disability intersects with race, gender, and sexual orientation.

VAMOS Employment Specialists

Assisting young adults with ID/DD to live, learn, and work in the community.

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