The Census Bureau needs more workers to help conduct the once-a-decade survey that gets underway in earnest this spring.
Paid census takers will go door-to-door beginning in late April to finish counting people who have not filled out the questionnaire after postcards are sent out with instructions on completing the forms.
More than 200 people are needed to count Montgomery County residents. Hiring ends in late February.
Workers are paid $19.50 per hour in addition to mileage and must be at least 18. For more information about applying, visit www.2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-562-2020.
The outreach may be crucial in areas with limited internet connectivity as the census largely moves online this year. Residents who cannot get online still have the option to answer the questions by mail or telephone.
Members of the local Complete Count Committee met Thursday to begin planning marketing and publicity strategies for promoting the census. Volunteers discussed posting reminders on social media, distributing fliers at popular gathering places and attending community events, but none of the plans are final.
The group also discussed how to reach hard-to-count populations, including the Hispanic community and the homeless.
Advocates say it’s important to get an accurate count because the census is tied to funding of federal programs and congressional redistricting. Indiana received $11.1 billion in funds tied to census data, according to the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.
