How to get a job as a Census Taker working the 2010 U.S Census

In March of 2010, the United States will be conducting a U.S Census as it does and is required to do every 10 years. Forms will be mailed out to every resident asking a few questions. Unfortunately, not every resident can or will complete these forms. To follow-up with unfilled out forms, a census taker will visit these residents to obtain the needed information.

Since the U.S Census is only conducted every 10 years, jobs will be needed to be filled for census takers. If you are interested in being a census taker for 2010, the following article gives tips on how to apply.

Things You'll Need

• phone
• basic skills
• us citizen and resident

Instructions

1. Know what is the U.S Census:

   According to the U.S Constitution, a U.S Census is required every 10 years. The U.S Census counts and surveys every resident in the United States. The data collected by the U.S Census helps determine how federal funds will be distributed to hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels, emergency services, and other public work projects. The data also helps determine how many seats each state has in the U.S House of Representatives.

   In March of 2010, census forms will be mailed out to every resident in the U.S States and will ask 10 short questions. If forms are not filled out by residents, a census taker may visit the resident to get the proper information.

2. Know what a Census Taker does:

   A Census taker is a person that makes sure that every neighborhood and resident is accounted for. The primary responsibility of a census taker is to obtain information from residences that have not sent back their 2010 census form.

   The census taker is provided a binder with all residents and their addresses that have not filled out and returned the 2010 census form. The census taker then visits these residents in person to address and record answers from the form. The census taker will only ask questions that are on the 2010 census form. Residents are required by federal law to talk to a census taker.

   A Census taker is a temporary part-time job that offers good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for all authorized work-related expenses. The range of starting pay is dependent on what city you will work in. For example a census taker starting salary starts at $10.50/hr in Jackson, MS however in San Francisco, CA a census taker starts at $22/hr.

3. Know the requirements to qualify to be a Census taker:

   1) You are able to read, write, and speak English
   2) You are a U.S Citizen
   3) You are a legal permanent resident, or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa and you possess a bilingual skill for which there are no available qualified U.S citizens.
   4) You are at least 18 years old
   5) You have a valid social security number
   6) You take a written test of basic skills
   7) You have a valid driver's license
   8) You pass a background check
   9) You commit to four days of paid training.

   The employment test consists of 28 multiple questions that test clerical skills, reading, number skills, interpreting information, evaluating alternatives, and organization skills. You will have 30 minutes to complete the test and may retake the test if you get an undesired score. However, you may only take the test once a day.

   The background check basically just checks to see if you have a criminal file within the FBI database.

4. Know how to apply:

   To apply you just call your local census office and schedule an appointment to take the employment test. You can call the toll-free job line at 1-866-861-2010 to find your local office or visit their website at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/how-to-apply/local-census-offices.php .

   Once you have scheduled an appointment visit http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/application-material/index.php to fill out an application, fill out an I-9, and take a practice employment test.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the practice employment test

• Do not email them as they do not accept applications via email.