Getting a Job as a 2010 Census Taker

Chris Apicella

Every 4 years, the United States government takes an official tally of the number of residents in each town, city, county and state in the US. This information is used primarily for determining the number of representatives each state and county is allotted by the federal government. But today, there is much more to the census than counting heads. The information is used to determine funding for a large number of state and federal programs, such as public school funding. The demographic data provides a goldmine of information for businesses and marketers as well.

A census taker's job provides a great opportunity for anyone looking for a temporary or part time job, or students looking for summer employment to get a good paying job with flexible time and hours, working with people, and knowing you are contributing a very important process dating back to the founding of the United States of America! An army of paid workers is needed to travel down each street and alley, and look in every nook and cranny to ensure that no individual is missed. President Obama's strong interest in the outcome of the census provides all the more reason to believe that the 2010 census will be better funded, and employ more people than any before in history. The interviewing for census taker jobs in 2010 will start in the fall of 2009. If you want to get one of these jobs, you need to be prepared.

Preparation Steps:

1. Visit the Census Jobs Web Page

The census has a dedicated web page for people who are interested in taking up a census job.
This page is updated with the latest census job information available.

2. Understand what knowledge will be expected.

Like many civil service jobs, there is an exam you must pass. The exam test basic competency in math and reading skills, reading maps, Interpreting information and evaluating alternatives, and organizational skills. There is a practice test available on the census jobs web site

3. Check the opportunities available at regional Census field offices.

The census bureau has 12 regional field offices located in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Kansas city, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Seattle. Each regional district covers an area of several states. Go to the regional field offices main page and click on the us map to find your particular census district field office. It may in fact be locates outside your state! For example, the California is split into two districts with a field office in Los Angeles for Southern California, and a field office in Seattle! The local field office employment pages will list specific job opportunities within the district as well as phone number and other information for ongoing survey and field work positions. There is a lot of other useful information available at the regional field office pages as well.

Bilingual Skills give you an edge.

Know more than one language fluently? this may give you a great opportunity to get a leg-up on the hiring. Part of the census mandate is to encourage participation of non-english speaking residents, who will need the help of someone who understands their native language well. Because of the diverse nature of American population, speakers of all languages are needed.So the more uncommon the language you speak, the more likely your translation services will be needed.

SO if you are looking for some part time employment, of just want to have a flexible job to make some extra money, and meet a lot of people, check out the US Census Bureau, they may have a job that is perfect for you!

RESOURCES

Census Job Opportunity Page: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/

Sample Census Taker Test: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/documents/Practice_Test.pdf

Census Field Office Main Page: http://www.census.gov/field/www/

Useful Phone Numbers:

2010 Decennial Field & Local Census Office Positions: 1- 877- 471- 5432
Ongoing Surveys: 1- 888-722-8995