An army of census takers is needed

At a time when many sectors of the job market are contracting or even downsizing, the Federal government is about to assemble the largest temporary civilian workforce to date in preparation of the 2010 Census.
“April 1, 2010 is Census Day, and we must have the census on the president’s desk by December 31, 2010, said Census Bureau Recruiting Coordinator William Harfmann.”
Expanding its payroll for thousands of prospective employees, the Census Bureau is looking to hire from 600 to 800 borough residents out of the 1.3 million employees total. Following the military, recruiting staff in preparation for the census is the nation’s leading employment opportunity for civilians.
The Decennial Census, organized every ten years, is authorized through the Constitution, to count every living person in the United States. Results of the census help determine the number of congressional representatives, district boundaries and the distribution of over $300 billion in Federal funds to communities each year.
Now, the Census Bureau is looking to hire field employees to spend the next several months working out of local Census offices, preparing to for the head count. Nine early offices in the tri-state area are hoping to hire employees for clerical positions in payroll, advertising and recruiting.
Those with clerical positions earn $14 per hour, recruiting assistant, enumerators earn $18.75 per hour, and recruiting leaders can make at least $20 per hour. Those interested in taking part in the 2010 Census must apply for and score at least a 70 on the multiple-choice timed exam. “Hiring is based on how many people mail back their form.”
The test scores, kept in the Census Bureau’s system are available for two years. Applicants may retake the test at any time and the highest score will be recorded. Scoring high and scheduling a test early better the chances of being hired.
“Census 2010 is certain to prove very challenging and rewarding for anyone who becomes a part of the operation,” says New York Regional Director Lester A. Farthing. “Many jobs can last several weeks up to one to two years, and the experience is invaluable. Working for the U.S Census Bureau provides people the chance to utilize a wide spectrum of skills. And it’s a great way to serve your country.”
The New York Regional Census Office handles recruiting for the five boroughs of New York City in addition to Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties and ten counties in Northern New Jersey.
Besides good pay, benefits include flexible hours, paid training and the chance to work within your own community. Earning a place in history, as well as work experience you can add to your resume.
The Census Bureau is also looking to hire an array of bilingual applicants in New York and New Jersey.
Spanish (Mexican, Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian and Guatemalan); Polish; Albanian; Arabic; Punjabi, Gujarati and Hindi; Urdu; Bengali; Guyanese; Senegalese; Gambian; Portuguese; Hebrew or Yiddish and Cantonese or Fukienese dialects are being sought.
The Census Bureau is also seeking Partnership Specialists in the local African-American and Caribbean communities. To apply for the Partnership Specialist positions, please visit https://www.census.gov/ronyc/www/emply.html. To be transferred to a nearby test site, call 866-861-2010.