We’re hiring: City seeks workers for 2020 census efforts

Published on June 05, 2019

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is hiring employees who can help make sure everyone is counted in the 2020 census. The new positions – one census coordinator and four census ambassadors – start in July and last 10 months.

Census coordinator
The census coordinator position calls for an individual who is organized, motivated and detail-oriented. Requirements include an associate’s degree, excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work well with others in a diverse community and experience with web and social media content development, among other skills. Spanish language proficiency is helpful but not required. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a driver’s license and personal vehicle – mileage is reimbursed. 

The coordinator will perform a variety of tasks to build community awareness, trust and motivation to participate in the 2020 census. These include:

• Developing and maintaining a detailed project plan and tracking its progress
• Defining tasks, activities and projects for other employees and volunteers
• Planning and coordinating Complete Count Committee meetings
• Producing marketing materials, including cards, brochures, flyers, posters and more
• Coordinating social media, online and email marketing
• Planning and promoting community events

For complete details on the census coordinator job duties and preferred skills and qualifications, CLICK HERE. 

The coordinator will work 25 to 32 hours a week and earn $16 to $20 per hour, depending on experience and Spanish proficiency. Work hours are flexible and some evenings and weekends are required. The deadline to apply is June 17. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Lou Canfield at lcanfield@grcity.us.

Census ambassadors
Census ambassadors need to be creative, motivated and self-directed. Ideally, they work, own a business or live in a neighborhood with the potential for low response rates in the 2020 census. These neighborhoods include Baxter, Garfield Park, Heartside, John Ball (South West Area Neighbors/John Ball Area Neighbors), Madison (Seeds of Promise), Oakdale, Roosevelt Park, South East Community and West Grand. 

Job requirements include excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work well with others in a diverse community, familiarity with city neighborhoods and existing connections to neighborhood stakeholders, comfort with public speaking and ability to record, compile and transmit meeting records, including sign-in sheets, photos and notes, among other skills. Spanish language proficiency is helpful but not required. Candidates must be at least 18 years old. 

Census ambassadors will be visible in city neighborhoods, hosting small gatherings of residents, planning and participating in events, meeting with community leaders, and engaging with existing neighborhood organizations. Specifically, they will:

• Conduct community outreach, including going door to door to nonprofit organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based groups and individuals
• Distribute marketing materials, including cards, brochures, flyers and posters
• Provide support at larger community meetings
• Communicate community feedback to the census coordinator

For complete details on the census ambassador job duties and preferred skills and qualifications, CLICK HERE.

Census ambassadors will work six to 12 hours a week and earn $12 to $14 per hour, depending on experience and Spanish proficiency. Work hours are flexible and some evenings and weekends are required. The deadline to apply is June 28. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Lou Canfield at lcanfield@grcity.us.

The results of the 2020 census will help determine federal funding that flows into the community for vital services such as health care, education and transportation. The results also will determine the community’s representation in the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress.

The City, in partnership with the Complete Count Committee, is working to ensure historically hard-to-reach residents are included in the census. This includes residents of color and individuals who do not speak English as a first language. One way it’s doing this is by encouraging residents to apply for census jobs.

“We encourage residents and other community members to consider joining the City team to help make sure all of their neighbors know about the census and why it’s important to participate in it,” said Lou Canfield, the City’s Development Center manager and Complete Count Committee liaison. “Every voice matters, and that’s why it’s so important that everyone in our community is counted in the census.”