Recruiting underway for 2020 census workers

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South Carolina is one of several states in which the U.S. Census Bureau has particular need for temporary, part-time census takers for the 2020 census.

The bureau is currently recruiting up to 500,000 temporary workers to meet its goal of more than 2 million applicants. Workers receive weekly paychecks and paid training and work flexible hours, according to the bureau.

“With low unemployment, the census bureau is taking extraordinary efforts to attract enough applicants to fill nearly 500,000 positions this spring,” Timothy Olson, census bureau associate director for field operations, said in a news release.

Pay rates in Richland County range from $14 to $15.50 per hour for both census takers and office positions. In Lexington, Calhoun, Kershaw, Orangeburg and Sumter counties, the pay rate for a census taker is $14. 50. The hourly rate for census takers in Newberry County is $15, and in Fairfield County, $15.50.

Census offices in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville are now open. Applications are being accepted for census takers, field supervisors, recruiting assistants, clerks and office operations supervisors.

The selection process begins this month, according to the release. Paid training begins in March or April. Once training is complete, employees in most positions will work between May and early July. The bureau tries to hire locally, so census takers are familiar with the neighborhoods to which they are assigned.

Census takers receive reimbursement for work-related mileage and expenses. Most jobs last several weeks, according to the census website.

Applicants will need a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle, unless public transportation is readily available, and have access to a computer with internet and an email account.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged.