Assistance for Federal Employees and Contractors

Visit the Job Board

The Arlington Employment Center (AEC) helps residents develop the skills needed to secure and maintain long-term employment. In addition to helping individuals find jobs, the AEC offers interview assistance, resume writing webinars, and computer access information.

The AEC Front Desk is open Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional opportunities for virtual sessions and appointments with a career counselor. Schedule a virtual or in-person session with a career counselor. 

Access AEC's webinars, on-demand, videos and one-on-one assistance to help with your job search:

• Resume Assistance
• Cover Letter Assistance
• Interview Assistance
• Learn to use LinkedIn & network
• The AEC’s full list of webinars and workshops

Careers with Arlington County

If you are looking to continue a meaningful career in public service you are welcome to explore options available in local government, where working directly with the community can create a lasting impact. Arlington County offers well-rounded total compensation packages with fair and competitive pay in a collaborative and service-oriented environment. A wide range of opportunities are available – from careers in public safety and behavioral health, to architecture and human resources. 

Arlington County will be attending job fairs in the area! Come talk to our HR staffing analysts about job openings throughout the County.

Additional Resources

• Arlington Public Library's Workforce Support Events
• Sen. Tim Kaine's Resources for Federal Workers
• Sen. Mark Warner's Resources for Federal Employees
• Rep. Don Beyer's Resources for Federal Employees
• Federal Workforce Resources and Data (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)
• Virginia Has Jobs

As outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor, to receive unemployment insurance benefits, you must file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.

Visit the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for information on filing initial claims, reactivating existing claims, and filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits. You will need the following to apply for Unemployment Benefits:

• Social Security Number
• The Name(s), Address(es), telephone number(s), and dates of employment within the last 18 months (it’s recommend reviewing your most recent W2 or pay stub)
• If you have any out-of-state employers you must also have mailing address, phone number and dates of employment for them
• If you obtain work through a local union hall you will need the name and union number
• If you are NOT a U.S. citizen you will need your Alien Registration number

Apply for unemployment benefits:

• Virginia
• Maryland
• Washington, DC

Figuring out how to open and operate a business in any jurisdiction can be difficult. If you are unsure where to begin, please schedule a meeting with the Arlington Economic Development (AED) BizLaunch team. BizLaunch is Arlington County's small business assistance team that can guide you to through the process of doing business in Arlington, regardless of your stage of business.

Arlington is home to a wealth of talented professionals, and for people looking to take their expertise in a new direction, entrepreneurship offers an exciting opportunity. BizLaunch has helped countless federal employees turn skills and experience into thriving businesses. While entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, if you’re considering launching your dream business, BizLaunch and SCORE have the tools and resources you need to succeed.

AED also recognizes that federal actions can create uncertainty for businesses, and they're here to help. No matter the size of your business, AED can provide tailored guidance, workshops and resources to navigate challenges. For assistance, please contact AED to connect with a member of our team.

Additional Events:

•  Job Fairs with Arlington County
• Arlington Employment Center Workshops and Events
• Arlington Public Library's Workforce Support Events

Do you need health insurance? The Virginia Insurance Marketplace can help.

Enroll Virginia is available to provide free, unbiased assistance with health insurance options available through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, and FAMIS.

Learn if you or your children may qualify for Medicaid, FAMIS, Plan First, or for health coverage through the Virginia Insurance Marketplace.

•  Food Assistance & Free Food Resources
•  Housing Assistance
•  Eviction Prevention 

If you are having trouble paying your Arlington County taxes on time, call the Treasurer’s Office at 703-228-4000 for information about payment arrangements and/or the Taxpayer Assistance Program.

DPR Fee Reduction and Financial Hardship Programs
To help families through long term or temporary setbacks, the Department of Parks and Recreation maintains two programs that offer fee reductions for qualifying households: 

• Fee Reductions (for long term needs): eligible households that provide proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of financial need may qualify for 25%, 50%, or 75% fee reductions.
• Financial Hardship Program (for temporary setbacks): eligible households facing recent reduction in income due to job loss, reduction in work hours, change in benefits (ex. Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability) may qualify for a flat 20% fee reduction. If you’ve recently qualified for these programs as of 2025, we will retroactively apply these reductions to your summer camp fees.

To identify if your household qualifies for either of these programs, visit our Fee Reduction and Financial Hardship webpage and apply today. 

Updated Payment Schedule and Cancellation Options for 2025 Summer Camp 
In order to provide families with additional time and flexibility to make difficult decisions about summer camp, DPR has made some temporary adjustments to the 2025 summer camp payment schedule. Click here to learn more. (En español). 

Arlington County’s housing and rental assistance programs seek to help tenants facing eviction.

What if I can’t pay my rent?

 Contact your landlord as soon as possible. Ask if partial payments are accepted until the rent is paid in full. If so, write out a payment plan that reflects what you can afford. For additional help with rent and expenses, contact 703-228-1300 or dhs@arlingtonva.us.

Free counseling and other resources are available to assist Arlington homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure. If you are at risk of foreclosure or struggling with monthly mortgage payments, it’s important to act quickly. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you will be able to access the resources you need to prevent foreclosure.

The Housing Division provides information about the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords to assist with resolution of tenant-landlord disputes. These documents outline the laws governing rental housing and provide information about different aspects of the rental process.

• Information for Landlords
• Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
• Renter Education
• Tenant-Landlord Guide
• Tenant Displacement Protections (Resources and Fact Sheet)

Arlington County urges landlords and rental property owners to exercise flexibility to not displace or adversely affect households during this difficult period. Residents who anticipate challenges in making their rent payment are encouraged to speak with their landlords about their circumstances. 

Flexibilities landlords can consider with tenants are: