Census Bureau taking applications for Spokane employees for 2020 count

If you’re interested in working for the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020, now is the time to get your application in.

More than 100 temporary workers will be hired in Spokane to work on the 2020 census in Eastern Washington.

The Census Bureau is advertising positions in four categories: office clerks, census takers, office supervisors and census field supervisors. The positions are being advertised at pay rates of minimum wage up to $16 per hour.

Some of the office jobs will last about a year, while the field jobs will last several weeks, said Donald Bendz, an agency spokesman.

“This is a great job for veterans, stay-at-home spouses, college students and others looking for temporary work,” he said. “You can help your community while getting paid.”

People must be 18 and have U.S. citizenship and a valid Social Security number to apply.

Although the jobs won’t start until 2020, interested applicants should apply now, Bendz said.

With the U.S. unemployment rate at a historic low of 3.7 percent, the Census Bureau is starting its recruitment process early, he said. Applicants also go through background checks.

Online applications are required. For more information, visit 2020census.gov/jobs.