Amazon Posts First Job Listings for HQ2 in Arlington, Says It Feels Welcome

Amazon is “ahead of schedule and on pace” to create 400 new jobs this year at its HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia, blogged Ardine Williams, vice president-workforce development, Monday. Its goal is to hire 25,000 in Arlington “over the next decade plus,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed a warm welcome from the community and the strong support from state and local government has allowed us to make significant progress towards establishing our presence here.” Williams was among several Amazon executives who faced tough questions during a confrontational Jan. 30 New York City Council hearing from several members skeptical of Amazon’s plans, under her watch, to recruit Queens public-housing tenants for customer service jobs at its other planned HQ2 in Long Island City (see 1901300048). Amazon scrapped the project two weeks later, citing lack of local government support (see 1902140054). Monday was “an important step” for Amazon in Arlington “as we lease office space and begin hiring,” said Williams. “We will welcome our new employees to our temporary office space on Crystal Drive in June while we work toward opening our first building this fall.” Amazon posted its first job listings Monday, and “while the number is small, these employees will help build the foundation of our workforce and workplace,” she said.