County, state list resources for fired federal workers

Both Fairfax County and the state of Virginia have posted lists of resources for people affected by President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to downsize the federal government.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) maintains a database of open positions in Northern Virginia.

The database lists over 47,000 jobs available in airspace and defense and nearly 63,000 in e-commerce, for example.

The FCEDA hosts weekly webinars for job seekers, and the agency lists upcoming job fairs, including a virtual statewide hiring event on March 5 hosted by Virginia Works.

Other job resources in Fairfax County include the following:

Workforce and Career Centers offer help with resume writing, career coaching, and other services. Register for an appointment at the Virginia Career Works center in Annandale here.

Fairfax County Public Schools offers assistance to federal government professionals interested in transitioning to a career in public education. Residents with a bachelor’s degree can become provisionally licensed to teach in just a few weeks.

Visit this page for a list of job openings with the Fairfax County government. The county employs more than 12,000 people.

File a claim for unemployment benefits from the Virginia Employment Commission here.

Residents interested in launching a business can find help with business planning, financing, and networking from Fairfax CORE (Connecting Opportunities and Resources for Entrepreneurs).

FCEDA also offers mentoring and financial advice for small businesses and startups.

For people starting retirement, Fairfax County suggests taking advantage of resources available at community centers, senior centers, libraries, and rec centers.

The Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia, affiliated with the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College, is a nonprofit, member-run organization offering educational and cultural pursuits to adults age 50 and over. 

Coping with job loss and uncertainty can take a toll on one’s health and family. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board provides a range of services for people experiencing mental health concerns and substance misuse.

For people facing financial crises, the county’s Health and Human Services agencies offer connections to county and community-based resources for assistance with food, utilities, and rent:

• Contact the Coordinated Services Planning hotline at 703-222-0880 on weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Translators are available to assist callers in multiple languages.
• The Department of Family Services can help eligible residents enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid. For more information, call the customer call center at 703-324-7500. 
• The state Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides funds to eligible families to improve the health of pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women and children up to age 5. For more information, call 703-246-5599.
• The Human Services Resource Guide connects residents with thousands of nonprofit and government services.
• Families enrolled in the School Age Child Care program who are unable to make payments should reach out to SACC to discuss options, at 703-449-8989 or [email protected].
• Families in the Child Care Assistance Referral program should contact CCAR staff at 703-449-8484 or [email protected].
• Residents in need of pet food or other pet resources can visit the Animal Shelter’s Pet Resource Center for a comprehensive list of resources and support.
• Any taxpayers who are unable to pay their county taxes will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Call 703-222-8234, weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a new website, Virginia has Jobs, listing 250,000 openings across the state.

The state also launched a list of resources for former federal workers, including job fairs and advice on applying for unemployment benefits, drafting a resume, and skills training.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay lauded Youngkin’s efforts to list resources for fired federal workers, but said, “I hope he will also take the opportunity to advocate more proactively with the Trump Administration to protect both the private sector and federal government employees who are essential to Virginia’s economy.”

The Republican governor, meanwhile, defended Trump and Musk’s efforts to downsize the federal government, resulting in the firing of many thousands of federal workers.

According to an article in the Washington Business Journal, Youngkin said: “We need to press forward and drive efficiencies in our federal government. As a result of driving those efficiencies, I do expect that some Virginians will lose their jobs and that’s why it’s so important that we provide alternative opportunities for them.”

Democratic lawmakers criticized Youngkin’s failure to stand up for Virginia’s economy. The state has about 144,000 federal employees.

A statement issued by Virginia Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) says “Trump’s chaos, grant freezes, and federal job cuts will devastate Virginia’s economy more than any other state.”