The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting 2.7 million job applicants for the 2020 census, and bureau staff say the temporary positions are a perfect fit for veterans and military spouses.

"This really is the ideal job for veterans and military spouses," said Megan Kindelan, assistant division chief in the bureau's field division. "It's a chance to be part of history, and we are really looking to veterans and military spouses because of their experience and their resilience [and] resourcefulness, which is exactly what you need in a census environment."

Job seekers can apply with one online application to three positions: census taker, recruiting assistant and, if available in that area, office clerk positions. Kindelan said applicants will be chosen in January, with the bulk of work happening in March, but people can start applying now at 2020census.gov/jobs.

The easy-to-navigate website also explains the job requirements; what job seekers need to apply; and shows a pay chart, which is location-based. With supporting documents, a former service member can claim veterans' preference when applying for the job.

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Since the job is completed over such a short period of time, Kindelan said it is perfect for military spouses, whose transient lifestyle can make it hard to hold a job.

She added that the flexibility, agility, resilience and resourcefulness veterans learned in the military also make them "excellent candidates" for the accelerated work environment needed to complete next year's census.

"When you're in the service, you're often accustomed to living and working in really fast-paced situations," she said, "having to make last-minute changes and adjustments based on operational needs, and that is incredibly similar to a decennial census."

-- Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at dorothy.mills-gregg@monster.com.

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