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It is almost time for another census to be tabulated, and the United States Census Bureau is looking to employ people to help in Chilton County.

Emma Duncan with the Census Bureau spoke to the Chilton County Commission during the public comments section of its meeting on March 26.

She stressed the importance of an accurate census, because it helps decide a variety of things, such as school boundaries and political representation.

“If for some reason we don’t get the census right, we could lose a representative in Washington [D.C.],” Commissioner Allen Caton said in agreement.

According to Duncan, the Census Bureau is looking to hire 327 Chilton County residents and have only got about 30 percent of that.

“We’re struggling in this county to get the word out,” Duncan said.

The Census Bureau has had to approach how they market the jobs to people differently due to the improved situation of the country’s economy since the previous census in 2010.

Chilton County’s lowered unemployment numbers have resulted in less people desperate to find a job and have led to the Bureau focusing on community pride and civic duty as reasons for applying for the jobs.

“It definitely affects your community,” Duncan said.

Duncan is looking to spread the word and was asking the Commission to help by posting the opportunity on their website.

“We’re willing to help any way that we can,” Commission Chairman Joseph Parnell said.

Interested residents must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. The job pays $15 per hour with the option for flexible hours, including just working nights and weekends, for those who are looking to take it on as a second job.

According to Duncan, the work is a great summer job, and people can put on their resume that they worked for the government.

Job recruitment will continue through June with some of the first jobs being filled during a “soft launch” of the program on May 5.

Address canvassing will begin this summer with a rolling session of training also taking place for those hired.

However, exact dates have not yet been set, because an area has to reach a certain number of workers before those are scheduled.

To learn more about the 2020 census and how to take part visit www.census.gov.