If business closures have put you temporarily out of work, or you’re just looking for a side-hustle, the federal government is hiring people to help with the 2020 Census and our region may be especially in need.

In Buncombe County, the Census will help track the 20,000+ new residents that have made their way to the mountains in the last decade and will help decide a plan forward, for us and for the entire nation, for the next 10 years – so it’s definitely a big deal. And although almost 93 percent of needed positions have been filled nationwide, Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Western North Carolina has received 9,064 applicants – or about 40 percent of its goal of 19,430 people – as of early Feb.

The Census Bureau will accept applications through the end of May.

Everyone should get their questionnaire in the mail by April 1, and census takers will start their work in May.

The rundown

○ Most positions will last several weeks. Hours are flexible and can include days, evenings and weekends.

○ The pay rate for Buncombe County workers is $17-19 per hour.

○ Workers receive weekly paychecks.

○ Workers will receive paid training.

○ There are positions available that are both in the field and in the office.

○ Here are the job descriptions + qualifications.

○ Working for the Census is a sworn office – which means employees are under a lifetime oath to protect respondent data.

If you’re interested in joining the team, click here to learn more + apply. In the meantime, for those interested in learning more about the 2020 Census + why it’s important, click here.

It’s important to note that the U.S. Census Bureau is carefully monitoring COVID-19 + adapting operations to protect the health + safety of the staff and the public. Stay tuned, we’ll be providing additional coverage on census participation soon.

Quiz