Qualifications for a Job as a U.S. Census Taker
The U.S. Census Bureau has several basic requirements for census takers that all applicants must meet. The position of census taker has a number of requirements that are common in many jobs, including pre-employment screening and proof of identity. The Census Bureau also administers a written pre-employment test intended to determine if you have the requisite skills.
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Basic Skills
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The Census Bureau requires its census takers to proficiently read, write and speak English. Some census taker positions also require a valid driver's license. The position also requires you to conduct personal interviews with people in their homes and record information from those interviews.
Requirements
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The Census Bureau only considers applicants with a valid Social Security number or work visa. U.S. citizens are given preferential status over noncitizen applicants. The Census Bureau requires you to provide proof of citizenship or your right to work in the U.S. There are several forms of acceptable identification, including a passport, drivers license, military ID or birth certificate. Some positions also require bilingual skills to interview people in communities with a large concentration of non-English-speakers.
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Testing
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One of the main requirements for employment as a census taker is the ability to pass a written test. This test consists of 28 multiple-choice questions that are intended to determine if you have the skills required for this job. The items covered include the ability to interpret data and your organizational, decision making, reading and clerical skills. Applicants are allowed a period of 30 minutes to complete the test with the ability to retake it once per day. In specific areas, the written test is available in Spanish or English.
Personal History
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The Census Bureau takes your work history and background into account to determine your suitability to become a census taker. Applicants are required to provide a work history for the past five years and submit to a criminal background check. Applicants with an unsatisfactory work history are subject to disqualification for this position. Minor traffic violations and offenses commuted before the age of 18 will not disqualify you from employment. While you are acting as an employee of the Census Bureau, you are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities.
Other Requirements
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Census takers are often required to work evenings and weekends. All census takers are required to complete four days of paid training before starting work. Training is held during the day, during evenings and on weekends. The training for this position requires you to learn how to use the census forms, as well as interviewing and map-reading techniques. Male applicants born after December 31,1959, are required to demonstrate that they have registered with the Selective Service System in order to successfully apply for this position.
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References
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