What: This is your chance to play a part in history! Temporary census positions offer the perfect opportunity to earn extra income, while at the same time, helping your community. Did you know: The results of the 2020 Census help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are spent locally for schools, hospitals, roads, and more. So it's important that everyone is counted!
This page provides details about the positions themselves, including what you'll need to apply and a timeline for the hiring process.
Job Qualifications
To be eligible for a 2020 Census job, you 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. (Some assessment questions are available in Spanish. However, an English proficiency test may also be required.)
- Be registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption, if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
- Pass a Census-performed criminal background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting.
- Commit to completing training.
- Be available to work flexible hours, which can include days, evenings, and/or weekends.
- Have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license, unless public transportation is readily available.
- Have access to a computer with internet and an email account (to complete training).
The Census Bureau is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.
If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference. Documentation supporting your claim for preference must accompany your application. For more information, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans’ Preference page.
Available positions
Census Takers
Census takers will interview household residents and update address lists using electronic devices (such as smartphones and tablets) issued by the Census Bureau. Applicants who are hired will attend paid training before beginning work.
Prior to the census, census takers will use maps and address lists to determine if the addresses are correct. Later, they will visit households that haven't responded to the census, speaking with residents and using electronic devices to collect census data.
Number of Positions: Hundreds of thousands
Hours: Schedules are flexible and dependent on the area. Many of the positions require availability to work in the evenings and on weekends.
Location: Work is done in the field.
Timeline: Most job offers will be made between January and April 2020. Paid training will be conducted between March and mid-May. Census takers will help collect responses from households that have not yet responded to the census between May and July.
Census Field Supervisors
Census field supervisors will supervise census takers, monitor their progress and performance, and ensure that the quality of work is maintained and that work is completed on time. Census field supervisors will use electronic devices issued by the Census Bureau to conduct their work.
Number of Positions: Thousands
Hours: Schedules typically follow regular business hours but can be flexible and dependent on the area. This position may require work on specific days, evenings, and/or weekends.
Location: Work is done in the field and at home.
Timeline: Most job offers will be made in January and February 2020.
Recruiting Assistants
Recruiting assistants will give impromptu presentations and meet with representatives from the community, media outlets, employment agencies, and other groups to promote census employment opportunities and recruit local residents. They may also help applicants complete the online job application. Recruiting assistants will use electronic devices issued by the Census Bureau to conduct their work.
Number of Positions: Thousands
Hours: Schedules typically follow regular business hours but can be flexible and dependent on the area. This position may require some work in the evenings and on weekends.
Location: Work is done in the field.
Timeline: Most job offers were made in the summer of 2019, and more may be made periodically as necessary.
Clerk
Clerks are needed in or near area census offices to perform administrative and clerical tasks in support of various functions, including payroll, personnel, recruiting, and field operations. Clerks will use desktop or laptop computers or other electronic devices issued by the Census Bureau (such as smartphones and tablets) to conduct their work.
Number of Positions: Thousands
Hours: Schedules typically follow regular business hours but can be flexible and dependent on the area. This position may require some work in the evenings and on weekends.
Location: Work is done in an office.
Timeline: Job offers will be made periodically throughout the 2020 Census.
Office Operations Supervisor
Office operations supervisors are needed in or near area census offices to assist in the management of office functions and day-to-day activities required to support field operations. The person in this position supervises clerks, oversees office operations, develops work schedules, oversees assignment preparation and tracking, conducts quality checks, does data entry, and oversees shipment activities. Office operations supervisors will use desktop or laptop computers or other electronic devices (such as smartphones and tablets) issued by the Census Bureau to conduct their work.
Number of Positions: Thousands
Hours: Schedules typically follow regular business hours but can be flexible and dependent on the area. This position may require work on specific days, evenings, and/or weekends.
Location: Work is done in an office.
Timeline: Job offers will be made periodically throughout the 2020 Census.