GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Prospective employees lined up at Greenwood Park Mall Friday in hopes of landing a temporary job with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Thousands of jobs will be added in the coming months in Indiana as the agency conducts the 2010 census, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"It's refreshing to think people are actually offering jobs now when you're being laid off, like I just was laid off," said Damian Givens.

People who were recently laid off from their jobs or those in search of temporary work comprised the bulk of job-seekers.

"Last night, I just got put on temporary layoff," said Arthur Shavoon. "I don't know whether I'll be called back or not."

The bureau plans to hire 900 people who could begin working around April 1. Another 1,000 employees would begin work sometime early next year.

While there were plenty of candidates, the turnout was not as strong as the bureau thought it might be.

"We think there will be a lot more people, because jobs are hard to come by and the census is going to offer that opportunity for people," said Dennis Sturdevant, of the census bureau.

Field workers will be paid between $11 and $13 an hour, plus mileage for those who use their vehicles on the job.

The mall job fair was scheduled to run until 5 p.m., and organizers were primarily looking for people who live on Indianapolis' south side. Census employees must be available to work at least 25 and as much as 40 hours a week.

More Info: census.gov