Census offers jobs well-suited to retirees
Dear Savvy Senior: The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting hundreds of thousands of workers for temporary jobs to help collect valuable data for the 2020 Census, and retirees are ideal candidates. Can you write a column to get the word out? Thanks for your help. — Census Recruiter
Dear Recruiter: I’m happy to oblige, and I agree. This once-adecade job opportunity is a great fit for retirees who have some free time and who’d like some extra income.
Attention retirees
The U.S. Census Bureau will need over 500,000 temporary workers to help carry out the 2020 Census national head count of every person living in the U.S.
The census helps determines each state’s representation in Congress, how money is spent for schools, hospitals and roads, and provides information to guide decisions-making by government agencies, private businesses and institutions.
Census jobs include field work — canvassing, updating maps and doing follow-up interviews in your community — and office work — administrative tasks or supervisory positions overseeing field staff. Some jobs will begin this summer, but most will begin in late April 2020 and last a month or two.
Temporary part-time positions are available in every county throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Some positions require evening and/or weekend shifts because you must be available to interview people when they’re home. All positions require several days of online and classroom training. Pay is between $13.50 and $30 per hour depending on position and location. To find the pay rates in your area, see 2020census.gov/ en/jobs/locations.html.
Qualifications
Workers must:
Be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.
Have a valid Social Security number.
Have a valid email address. Complete an application and answer assessment questions.
Be registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption, if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
Pass a criminal background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting. Commit to complete training. Be available to work flexible hours, which can include days, evenings and/or weekends.
Most census jobs require employees to have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license, unless public transportation is readily available, and have access to a computer with internet.
How to apply
The first step is to complete the online job application at 2020census.gov/en/jobs. It takes about 30 minutes and will include assessment questions about education, work and other experience.
Prospective employees who would like to claim a veteran’s preference, which provides preference over nonveteran applicants, supporting documentation is required.
Applicants with questions or problems with the application process can call 855-562-2020.
Interviewers will reach out to potential hires for phone interviews, but not all applicants will be interviewed. Job offers are made verbally, and candidates will also receive a letter by email.
Send questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit savvysenior.org.