Uncle Sam Wants YOU To Count Heads

The Big Count is coming and Pasadena area residents can now apply for temporary positions with the U.S. Census Bureau, as the agency prepares for the 2020 Census.

An announcement on the bureau’s website said most of the job openings are for census takers, but other positions – including supervisory and recruiting outreach positions – are also available, especially in areas where the agency has local offices.

Nearly 4,000 local recruiting events are taking place this week in communities across the nation.

“We need people to apply now so they can be considered for part-time census taker positions next spring,” Timothy Olson, Census Bureau associate director for Field Operations, said. “Recent high school graduates, veterans, retirees, military spouses, seasonal workers and applicants who are bilingual are highly encouraged to apply.”

In Los Angeles County, the local census office is located in Woodland Hills.

Pay for census takers and office positions in Los Angeles County is between $17 and $21 per hour. Aside from the competitive wages, which are paid weekly, jobs for the 2020 Census also offer paid training. Employees doing fieldwork are reimbursed for authorized work-related expenses such as mileage.

Applicants for temporary work with the Census Bureau must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. Citizen, have a valid email address, complete an application and answer assessment questions, be registered with the Selective Service System (the draft) if male and born after Dec. 31, 1959.

There is also a criminal background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting.

Candidates should be prepared to work flexible hours, including days, evenings and weekends. Applicants might also have to take an English proficiency test, the census bureau said.

Applicants hired as “enumerators” will go door-to-door gathering responses from those who do not respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail.

The selection process for census taker positions begins in January 2020, with paid training occurring in March and April.

The actual enumeration of non-responding households throughout the nation begins in May through early July, the Bureau said.

To apply for various temporary positions related to the 2020 Census, visit www.recruitment.2020census.gov/ats/careersite/census.aspx?site=1&c=census.

For more information about the upcoming census, visit www.2020census.gov.