Community Affairs Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the most diverse counties in the nation, is seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Director of Immigrant Community Affairs.

Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the most diverse counties in the nation, is seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Director of Immigrant Community Affairs.

This position sits in the Office of the County Executive and reports to the Chief Equity Officer. This position plays a central role in advancing the County’s One Fairfax policy through immigrant integration, community well-being, and economic success. This position will continue shaping Fairfax County as a place where every immigrant feels welcome, safe, and able to thrive.

If you are passionate about advancing the One Fairfax Policy —and skilled at turning policy into practice across a large, complex organization—this role offers a rare opportunity to build something lasting and impactful.

• Be part of a high-impact, visible leadership role in one of the most diverse counties in the nation.
• Work alongside the Chief Equity Officer and the One Fairfax team to shape systems, policies, and practices that affect hundreds of thousands of residents.
• Help build a countywide infrastructure that recognizes immigrant communities as a core strength of Fairfax County’s present and future.

This is a senior, cross-cutting role that blends policy, program design, community engagement, organizational change, and leadership.

Under the direction of the Chief Equity Officer, the Director of Immigrant Community Affairs will:

• Lead a countywide vision and plan to make Fairfax County a welcoming community for immigrants, with clear goals, strategies, and ways to measure progress.
• Serve as the county’s primary specialist on immigrant affairs, advising the Board of Supervisors, senior leadership, and departments on policies and practices that advance the One Fairfax Policy.
• Identify and remove systemic barriers that prevent immigrants from achieving their highest level of personal, economic, and civic participation.
• Design and manage strategic initiatives related to immigrant integration, including areas such as language access, education, housing, health, workforce development, and economic inclusion.
• Develop and deepen partnerships with community-based organizations, nonprofits, faith communities, regional partners, and public agencies to align efforts and amplify impact.
• Promote engagement, ensuring immigrant voices help shape County planning and decision‑making.
• Strengthen internal capacity, including staff training and competency‑building, so County departments can better understand and respond to immigrant needs.
• Manage core administrative functions, including budgeting, contracting, and staffing for immigrant community affairs.

• Coordinate strategic initiatives that advance conditions for Fairfax County’s diverse immigrant communities.
• Lead implementation and regular review of the Trust Policy; recommend improvements and ensure countywide compliance.
• Analyze federal, state, regional, and local policies affecting immigrants; share findings to inform decision‑making.
• Identify policies, practices, and systems that hinder a welcoming and equitable environment for immigrants and work with cross‑functional teams to implement sustainable changes.
• Develop accountability mechanisms and report regularly to internal and external audiences.

• Serve as the County’s primary point of contact and subject‑matter expert on immigrant affairs.
• Support Board‑established advisory groups related to immigrant communities.
• Lead large‑scale, multi‑agency initiatives and advise senior leaders on strategy, policy, and implementation.
• Maintain active participation in local, regional, and national networks to bring emerging practices back to Fairfax County.

• Apply project, process, and change management skills to embed an equity lens into County policies and programs.
• Lead cross‑departmental teams to identify institutional barriers affecting immigrants and implement solutions.

• Build and sustain strong relationships with nonprofits, faith‑based organizations, community leaders, and coalitions.
• Elevate immigrant voices in County decision‑making and increase public awareness of immigrant contributions.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal partners to proactively address emerging issues.

• Develop and implement training and competency‑building strategies for County staff.
• Build organizational capacity to address complex issues impacting immigrant communities.

• Manage budgeting, procurement, contracts, and IT needs related to immigrant community affairs.
• Recruit, hire, and support staff as the work grows.

• Is a skilled communicator and relationship‑builder, comfortable working with community members, advocates, senior executives, and elected officials.
• Thrives in complex, cross‑system environments and can move from big‑picture strategy to practical implementation.
• Is committed to the One Fairfax Policy and community‑driven solutions, and understands the diverse experiences of immigrants by culture, language, and socioeconomic factors.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all‑inclusive list.)

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the statutory and regulatory requirements relating to advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices relating to local government compliance as it relates to One Fairfax;
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and County statutory and regulatory provisions;
• Proficient in the use of a personal computer;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and maintain accurate records.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to)

Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, ethnic studies, or related field, plus six years of professional‑level experience organizing or working with equity, diversity, or inclusion initiatives.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer. Ability to fluently read, write, and speak English and a second language is required. If you are fluent in a language other than Spanish, you must be able to speak Spanish conversationally.

• At least 5 years of progressive professional experience related to issues affecting immigrants, including at least 2 years of immigration policy advocacy and at least 2 years of project and change management
• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience working in the public sector specifically, local government environment including work with senior management, executives, and elected officials.
• Experience developing, implementing and managing initiatives aimed at advancing racial and social equity.
• Experience with policy analysis and research
• Significant experience in program/project management including effective communication, development of documents and reports, defining objectives, researching best practices, evaluation of results and plans and ensuring that timelines are met.
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with diverse coworkers and experience collaborating with community members and community‑based organizations.
• Experience facilitating cross‑sector teams and establishing and managing cross‑sector/cross‑agency collaborations.
• At least three years of experience and ability to write clearly, gather information and compose concise executive summaries, compose correspondence, reply to non‑technical requests, prepare communication for newsletters, prepare communication to county departments, prepare communication for the media in coordination with the Office of Public Affairs, manage website content and prepare presentation materials.
• Experience in data gathering techniques including how to manage, synthesize and use information to support analysis, how to organize and present findings.

Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Employee may be required to lift up to 15 lbs. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significa