CALIFORNIA—The U.S. Census Bureau has started its final round of hiring for the 2020 Census, which begins in March.
The agency is looking to hire census takers for temporary, five-week positions, which include a paid training period. Positions start at $21 per hour.
“Basically we are in full hiring mode,” said Vanessa Moreno, spokesperson for the U.S. Census Bureau, who works out of the Los Angeles Regional Census Center. “We encourage people to look at this as an opportunity to earn some good money while serving their community at the same time.”
Those interested can apply online at 2020census.gov/en/jobs. Live representatives will be available by phone at 1-855-562-2020 to assist anyone with questions.
Background checks are required to apply. Census employees are asked to work weekends and evenings, and bilingual staff is desired.
“This job is for a lot of different kinds of people,” Moreno said. “Students over 18, retirees, anyone who wants to make some extra cash.”
Moreno emphasized that census data is used for statistical purposes and nothing else. Anyone who works for the census is required to take an oath of non-disclosure, and breaking that trust can cost an individual up to $250,000 and five years in prison.
“We want residents to know that their responses are safe—they cannot be traced back to you or your loved ones,” Moreno said.
Census mailers will be sent out in mid-March for people to respond online and then by phone and mail. By mid-April, census takers will be deployed to go door-to-door.
The bureau will be reviewing job applications up until the end of January, and as such, they encourage people to apply as soon as possible.
“Everything is affected by having an accurate census count,” Moreno said. “Schools, healthcare… even political representation. Being actively involved is vital.”
For information: 2020census.gov.
