GREEN BAY - The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking to fill thousands of jobs in northeastern and central Wisconsin to help complete its once-a-decade count of the nation's population.

The bureau, so far, has only a little more than half of the 8,700 job applicants it needs to conduct a full count of the region's residents.

The Census Bureau expects many Americans to complete the Census online, by mail or by phone, but it needs part-time census takers to visit households that do not return the forms in order to ensure everyone is counted once and only once.

It's a massive undertaking, but of vital importance to communities, counties and states. The demographic and economic information collected in the census forms the basis for redrawing election maps and guiding the annual distribution of $675 billion in federal funding.

"The important thing here is we really need a lot of people to ensure an accurate count so if you are between jobs, retired, just turning 18, or looking to make some extra money, we want you to go to the Census jobs website and apply for a job—this is your way to help your community for the next 10 years," Karen A. Davis, a Census Bureau media specialist for the Chicago region, said.

The Census Bureau has established four regional offices in Wisconsin—Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire—to coordinate the administration of the census in the state. In all, the agency says it needs 27,500 people in Wisconsin and 500,000 across the country.

Filling those positions has been a challenge, and the bureau has responded with additional recruitment drives and by raising wages. In early December, the Census announced it increased pay rates in Wisconsin to $17 to $24 per hour.

In the 18 counties that cover much of northeastern and central Wisconsin, the Census Bureau has recruited half as many applicants as it will need to conduct the count. The bureau estimated the number of applicants it would need in each county based on population, so almost 1,460 applicants are needed in Brown County, but only 81 are needed in Menominee County.

It will continue its employee recruitment drive this weekend with events in Green Bay, Oshkosh and Sturgeon Bay.

What jobs?

The Census Bureau has five different positions available:

Census taker - Visit households that haven't responded by phone, mail or online. Census takers speak with residents and use electronic devices to collect data from residents. Training would begin as soon as March and the job would extend into July.

Field supervisor - Monitor progress of census takers, ensure work is completed on time and ensure quality standards are met. Field supervisors might have to work shifts on certain days or weekends, but hours are flexible most of the time.

Recruiting assistant - Meet with community representatives, the media, nonprofit groups and others to promote employment opportunities. Help applicants complete online applications.

Clerk - Needed in the Green Bay census office. Clerks handle payroll, personnel, recruiting and field operations.

Office operations supervisor - This person manages the office and supervises personnel. Supervisors are responsible for quality checks, data entry, worker assignments and shipping.

Do I qualify for these jobs?

Here are the job qualifications for all 2020 Census positions:

At least 18 years old

Valid Social Security Number

U.S. citizen

Valid email address

Ability to speak, read and write English, though bilingual applicants are needed and encouraged to apply.

Men born in 1960 or after need to be registered with the Selective Service System

Pass a criminal background check and undergo fingerprinting

Complete training

Be available for flexible work hours that include days, nights and weekends

Most jobs also require access to a computer with internet as well as a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle or public transportation. The jobs available offer full- or part-time hours.

If you have another job, the Census Bureau will review the details to make sure there are no conflicts of interest.

How do I apply?

The quickest way is to apply online.

You can also call 855-562-2020 and select option 3 to get more information.

If you'd rather apply in person, there are recruitment events happening across northeast and central Wisconsin as soon as this weekend.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Aging Disability Resource Center of Door County, 916 N. 14th Ave., in Sturgeon Bay.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Sunnyview Expo Center, 500 Winnebago County Y, in Oshkosh.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Winterfest on Broadway, in the Broadway District of downtown Green Bay.

When is my Census form due?

The first person was counted on Jan. 21 in Toksook Bay, Alaska, but the majority of residents will be asked to respond in March and April.

Households should look for official mail from the Census Bureau March 12-20 with details on how to complete the survey. The form should take about 10 minutes to complete, according to the bureau.

All information provided is confidential. The Census does not share any personal information with other federal departments or outside organizations.

If you don't want a Census taker to visit your home, it's best to complete your household's form by April 30. Bureau staff will make home visits to households that haven't completed the survey in May, June and July.

The bureau will count homeless people in shelters, soup kitchens and on the streets from March 30-April 1.

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Census job applicants by Wisconsin county through Jan. 23

Applications needed, Percentage of applications received

Brown County - 1,459, 56%

Calumet County - 148, 77%

Door County - 336, 57%

Fond du Lac County - 494, 43%

Green Lake County - 119, 61%

Kewaunee County - 98, 67%

Manitowoc County - 313, 60%

Marinette County - 562, 45%

Menominee County - 81, 56%

Oconto County - 364, 40%

Outagamie County - 817, 62%

Portage County - 554, 45%

Shawano County - 370, 48%

Sheboygan County - 465, 62%

Waupaca County - 338, 46%

Waushara County - 151. 62%

Winnebago County - 988, 58%

Wood County - 405, 62%