Community Organization Hiring Workers for 2020 Census

The activist group Pasadenans Organizing for Progress (POP!) is hiring part-time temporary workers to help POP! support the efforts of the Pasadena Complete Counts Committee with the 2020 Census.

The progressive group is looking for residents familiar with districts in Northwest Pasadena, which includes districts 1, 3, 5.

“POP!’s and the Complete Counts Committee’s goal is to increase the response rate in these historically undercounted neighborhoods,” POP! said in a released statement. “The primary focus of the work will be outreach to residents educating them on the importance of being counted.”

By way of the census, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States once each decade. The next count is scheduled to occur on April 1 and will be the first to rely heavily on online responses.

The city has received a $73,895 grant for Census 2020 education and outreach activities related to the upcoming 2020 census.

Local officials fear that the Trump administration’s immigration stance in Washington, D.C. has left some residents fearful of participating in the census, which could result in a devastating undercount that could cost cities billions.

“The primary and perpetual challenge facing the U.S. Census Bureau is the undercount of certain population groups,” said Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian, a member of the Census Planning Team, in a previous statement.

The Supreme Court recently upheld the public charge law that could make it harder for immigrants to find a path to citizenship if they use social programs like HUD, food stamps or welfare.

An undercount would have far-reaching implications.

Population counts from the 2020 census will be used to determine how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets for the next decade. The data will also be used to help distribute nearly $900 billion in federal funding for such things as schools, roads and other public services.

Historically, the census has under-counted marginalized groups, including renters, children, people of color and immigrants.

According to POP! those groups total more than 50 percent of the city’s population. POP’s part-time workers could help reach over 4,000 residences between March and May, the group said.

The job pays $17 an hour. Applicants should apply no later than Friday by email to POP2020census@poppasadena.org, including their name, contact information with a phone number, and a short description of their experience and interest.

Candidates must be over 18 years of age and be willing to learn about the census. Applicants must be available evenings and weekends.