The 2020 U.S. Census kicked off this month and Census Bureau representatives are bolstering their recruitment efforts in Nevada.
Many counties are short on workers, including Washoe County, where 1,500 more census takers are still needed. Spokesperson Misty Slater said they're looking for people available for eight weeks of part-time work, specifically those who live in the area.
"That is your ideal census taker,” Slater said, “because then it's like your neighbor knocking on your door instead of a complete stranger."
This is the first American census that will be mostly based online and postcards sent out to refer people to the website. If they don't respond, a census taker may need to visit the residence. Slater said this usually means rural areas need more census takers. In Elko County alone, 400 more are needed.
"If they don't have Wi-Fi or broadband to complete it online, those addresses will be getting a paper questionnaire delivered to their house,” said Slater. “And then if we still don't have a response, a census taker will go out to those properties as well."
The Census efforts in Nevada will ramp up in March and April.