The U.S. Census bureau has part-time jobs available at $17.50 an hour in Pierce County.

Applications are due this month, training begins in April and the actual job commences in May and lasts through June.

The job entails doing interviews with those people who do not fill out a the census form that will soon be mailed to every household in the nation.

“We want folks who live in the same communities,” said Cecilia Sorci, spokeswoman for the bureau’s Tacoma office.

“The offices continue to recruit, especially in certain rural areas and places with a higher concentration of non-English speakers. Bilingual people are encouraged to apply, but all census takers must speak English,” said a bureau press release today.

Along with an ability to visit and speak with neighbors – and keep an accurate record of what is said – census takers will be required to swear an oath of non-disclosure, given the personal and confidential nature of the information they receive.

Along with an hourly salary – which varies depending on the area – census takers will be paid for mileage.

For more information, visit www.2010.census.gov. To apply for a position in the Tacoma area, call 253-267-7220. In Olympia (where the hourly rate is less), call 360-539-6030.