It’s almost time to stand up and be counted, and the federal government needs your help to do just that.
The U.S. Census Bureau, which is in charge of the federal Census held every 10 years, is looking to hire local residents who want to help with the count.
Linda Gladden, a spokeswoman for the Census Bureau, said the agency is “on track to hire thousands of Census-takers nationwide” before next year’s count.
Gladden said the Census-takers will go door-to-door to collect information, but only as a last resort.
“First, people will start to get postcards, directing them to fill out their Census form online or on their mobile devices,” she said of a mid-March 2020 mailing. “This is the first time that we’re offering that option. Technology has changed so much in 10 years. The more people who complete their survey online, it will be more cost-efficient.”
In March and April, those who did not complete an online survey will be sent a paper version through the mail, with a final reminder mailed out in late April.
“The Census-takers will be asked to go out and follow up with the homes that didn’t respond,” Gladden said. “If you do one of those three things, you won’t get a knock on your door.”
She said she doesn’t know how many Census-takers will be needed in Jefferson County or Eureka. However, she said the agency tries to make it an attractive part-time, temporary job.
“We offer competitive pay and flexible hours; we pay mileage if you use your vehicle and we pay weekly,” she said. “We also offer free training. We want to make sure people are ready to go out into the field.”
In Jefferson County and St. Louis County, the pay for Census-takers is $19.50 per hour.
Additionally, Gladden said, a temporary office will be opened in the St. Louis area that will need clerical workers and other support and supervisory personnel.
She said the bureau has a policy of trying to station workers in the area where they live.
“The whole idea is to get as accurate of a count as possible, and people are more likely to open the door for a fairly familiar face,” Gladden said.
Applications for Census-takers and other workers are being taken now, with hiring decisions coming before the end of January. Background checks and training will be done in the early part of 2020, with Census-takers hitting the road in May, June and July.
Gladden said the jobs should appeal to a number of different people.
“I’d think these would be good jobs for college students, for retirees and maybe for mothers with children in school who can work a flexible schedule,” she said.
Census-takers must be at least 18 years old and be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number and e-mail address. They also must pass a background check and, Gladden said, in an area like Jefferson County without a lot of mass transit options, a driver’s license and use of a vehicle would come in handy.
Census-takers perform a valuable service, both to the federal government – which by the Constitution is required to perform a regular counting of the population – and to their communities, Gladden said.
“The Census is used to determine the seats in Congress, so that’s important,” Gladden said. “The data also is used to determine federal spending on many things, including vital support services such as health care and education. It’s important to get as accurate of a count as possible.”
Gladden said the job is a relatively safe one, despite the door-to-door nature of Census-taking.
“The Census Bureau takes the safety of its workers very seriously,” she said. “Local law enforcement is alerted when the Census-takers are in a particular neighborhood. Also, and this is important for people to know – a Census-taker will wear a badge on a lanyard and be carrying a bag that is clearly marked as Census Bureau property. Once they see those items, people generally will let you into their homes. And you shouldn’t let someone into your home who can’t show you those things.”
Gladden said while some people are reluctant about participating in the Census, they shouldn’t be.
“A Census-taker will never ask you anything that identifies you as an individual. They won’t ask, for instance, your Social Security number, nothing that can be traced back to you.”
Job-seekers can go to the Census Bureau’s website, 2020census.gov/jobs, to fill out an online application.