Vet Programs

Please ask a Veterans' Representative for a referral for any of these programs. To contact a Veterans' Representative, visit a local office near you. For a list of local offices click the “Office Locations” tab above.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects service members' reemployment rights when returning from a period of service in the uniformed services, including those called up from the reserves or National Guard, and prohibits employer discrimination based on military service or obligation. The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers USERRA.

Click here for more information on USDOL USERRA

Title 38 U.S. Department of Labor

Veterans' Employment and Training Service
U.S. Department of Labor
401 Broadway N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Mailing address: P.O. Box 25085 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125-5085

DVET Spencer Weaver
Weaver.Spencer.L@dol.gov
VPA Sandra Epenesa
Epenesa.Sandra@dol.gov
(505) 346-7502
FAX (505) 242-6179

Women Veterans of New Mexico

Our mission:

Voice for Women who are veterans or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Act as an advocate for Women Veteran's Rights, Issues and Benefits.

Our goals:

Provide information & support, conduct outreach to the 26,000 Female Veterans in New Mexico, assist vets with obtaining VA Benefits and Healthcare, volunteer and conduct fundraising, be involved in Local & National issues, ensure VA programs are responsive to the gender-specific needs of Women Veterans

New Mexico Veterans Integration Center

13032 Central Ave., SE

Albuquerque, NM 87123

Office Phone: (505) 265-0512

Website: www.nmvic.org

This is a two year transitional living program that provides service to veterans that are at risk for becoming homeless or homeless veterans needing food, shelter, clothing, education, case management and employment assistance.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services VR&E 500 Gold SE

5th/Gold Ave. - 2nd floor

Albuquerque, NM 87108

(505) 346-4849

VR&E is Chapter 31, training for veterans, who have a service-connected disability and are making a career change due to their disability, or to assist disabled veterans in obtaining employable skills.

REAL lifelines logo

REALifelines - Recovery & Employment Assistance Information

If you or a family member has been wounded or injured while on active duty, contact your REALifeLines advisor for New Mexico at 505-841-9529. REALifelines Advisor - Helps wounded and injured service members and veterans access valuable online resources and contact information for one-on-one employment assistance to help them transition into the civilian workforce. The REALifelines Advisor provides veterans and transitioning service members wounded and injured as a result of the War on Terrorism, and their family members, with the resources they need to successfully transition to a rewarding career. For more information about REALifelines, contact REA.Lifelines@dws.nm.gov

New Mexico Workforce Connection

One-Stop Career Centers offer a wealth of resources including specialized Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) staff who work solely with veteran populations and can provide relevant veteran applicant referrals.

Find your local office

Helmets to Hardhats

Helmets to Hardhats lets your military service speak for itself and helps you find career opportunities that match your military background. Helmets to Hardhats is the fastest, easiest way for transitioning military, Reservists, and Guardsmen to find a rewarding career in the construction industry.

www.helmetstohardhats.org

Call your local LVER or DVOP for information about Helmets to Hardhats programs in New Mexico.

Troops to Teachers - PDF

Veterans and eligible individuals using their GI Bill Education Benefits may be entitled to participate in VA Work-Study program. Program participants are assigned any number of a wide variety of duties related to VA activities. Insofar as possible, work-study assignments are consistent with and capitalize upon a student's area of study so that the services that the Veteran or eligible individual performs become a practical extension of the student's education.

Training for work-study assignments should not exceed more than 20 percent of the authorized work-study hours for the specified contract period.

Benefits of participating in VA Work-Study Program:

  • Paid hourly rate at Federal minimum wage
  • 25 hours a week
  • Experience gained for future employment opportunities
  • Include experience in resume
  • Expand professional network
  • Remain connected to the workforce

Veterans or eligible individuals can request VA Work-Study assignments in:

  • VA Facility
  • Educational Institutions
  • Department of Defense Facility
  • Other Non-VA Facility

For more information and site assignments, contact nmvets.jobs@dws.nm.gov

A federally sponsored program available to any at-risk job applicant eligible for bonding services. At-risk individuals not able to obtain suitable employment include: ex-offenders, ex-addicts (alcohol and/or drugs), welfare recipients, persons having poor credit, disadvantaged youth lacking a work history, individuals dishonorably discharged from the military and anyone who cannot secure employment without bonding. In effect, it is an incentive to the employer to hire an at-risk applicant. Federal bonding is insurance to protect the employer against employee dishonesty. It covers any type of stealing, theft, forgery, larceny and embezzlement. It does not cover liability due to poor workmanship, job injuries, work accidents; nor is it a bail bond or court bond needed in adjudication, and it is not a bond needed for self-employment. For more information contact the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solution's Federal Bond Program: (505) 841-8501

New Mexico VA Health Care System/Careers
website: www.albuquerque.va.gov/careers/
1501 San Pedro SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 256-5702

A Veterans Representative provides job services to Veteran's receiving mental/medical care at the VA Medical Center Mondays and Thursdays

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit that encourages employers to hire workers from nine target groups. The tax credit is designed to help job seekers gain on-the-job experience, move towards economic self-sufficiency, and help reduce employers federal tax liability. WOTC offers tax savings to employers who hire three types of veterans. Hiring unemployed veterans, disable veterans, and veterans receiving SNAP benefits can result in direct savings on federal business income or payroll taxes.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions - Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Unit

Need to learn a new skill? Apprenticeship programs are designed to provide paid training in a new career field such as plumbing, electrician, or carpentry (Get paid - learn a new trade). Ask your veteran Representative for more details.

DVR offers rehabilitation, training, and job placement programs that work closely with disabled workers. To learn more about the programs,visit www.dvr.state.nm.us.

Santa Fe Map
NM Department of Veterans Services

407 Galisteo Street, Room 142,
Santa Fe, NM 87504

Phone: 505-827-6300
Toll Free: 866-433-(VETS) or 866-433-8387
Fax: 505-827-6372

Website: http://nmdvs.org
Email: alan.martinez@dws.nm.gov

NM Veterans Business Advocates
Website: http://www.nmvba.org/