GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  More than 300 people in Georgetown County are expected to be hired to help the U.S. Census Bureau count the number of residents this year.

The bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census.

Max Biggs, the local Census office manager, said the jobs — which could possibly last through July — will offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage.

Pay starts at $11.50/hour

Biggs said pay starts at $11.50 per hour plus 50 cents per mile driven. The pay increases to $13 per hour for supervisory positions.

He said Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.

Jobs to last at least 8 weeks

Most of the jobs will last at least eight weeks but some workers will remain employed through July, Biggs said.

2,000 workers for local region

About 2,000 workers will be hired for the local region which includes Georgetown, Horry, Florence, Marion and Dillon Counties.

Biggs said “at a bare minimum” 300 people will be hired in Georgetown County.

For the most part, people will work in the counties in which they live but there may be times extra help will be needed in other counties.

Since it will be important to meet with people while they are at home, a lot of the work will be done in the evenings and on weekends.

Testing Thursday

Testing for workers will take place Thursday at the North Santee Community Center, Dunbar Recreation Center and Choppee Regional Resource Center.

On Friday the tests will be given at the Georgetown Workforce Center and Plantersville Senior Center.

Testing will take place  Saturday at the Waccamaw Neck Library.

To set up and appointment, call 1-866-861-2010.

There will also be a chance to apply for one of the jobs next week as the Census Bureau brings its “road show” to Georgetown.

A bus and other displays will be set up at Piggly Wiggly on Highmarket Street on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. -11 a.m.

Vermell Simmons, partnership specialist, said the road trip is also being used to educate the public on the importance of filling out and returning the Census forms.

“If everyone is counted, it will help bring much needed resources to our area. That can mean jobs and maybe a new congressional seat,” she said.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com