Census offers best temporary job to come along in 10 years

Some of life's big events only happen once in a while. Many are eagerly anticipated -- The Olympics, graduations, birthdays. Others -- dental exams, renewing your driver's license, cleaning out gutters -- not as much. But one big event that only comes around every 10 years brings with it an opportunity for thousands of people. It's the United States Census, and it's coming up soon.

To conduct the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau will hire hundreds of thousands of census takers over the next two years. If that seems like a lot, consider that those census takers will count millions of people spread out over more than 2.4 billion acres.

It all began in October, when the Census Bureau began recruiting for the Address Listing operation. This is the process by which the addresses in the census records are updated. New addresses are added and ones that no longer exist are deleted, resulting in a complete list of addresses to which census forms will be mailed in early 2010.

The reasons people apply for these jobs are as varied as our population. First, census jobs pay well. Surveys have found that the pay is consistently the top reason for taking a census job. The Census Bureau makes sure its workers are paid well. They examine current wages across the nation, and set pay rates on a county-by-county basis, ensuring that census jobs are among the best paying part-time positions.

Then there's the flexibility. A census taker working during the Address Listing operation typically works 20 to 40 hours per week for several weeks, largely on a schedule of his/her choosing. The work must be done during daylight hours, and there are minimum amounts of work that must be completed. Most people find it very manageable, and the more a worker accomplishes, the more work he or she is eligible for. Adding to the flexibility is the fact that census takers work near home. Even if the area covered extends a bit further than the worker's neighborhood, the Census Bureau will cover authorized work expenses, such as mileage on your automobile.

For those who are ready to apply, the Census is primarily looking for U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, with a valid Social Security number. In some cases, citizenship may be waived, such as when bilingual ability is required and no U.S. citizens are available. Applicants also will have to pass a background check and complete a written test of basic skills, such as reading, working with numbers and interpreting information.

The decennial (every 10 years) census is an important source of information. Census data are used to determine representation in government and to help direct funding for projects such as roads and other community needs. So it's important to make sure that each community is accurately accounted for. "The Census Bureau is counting on people just like you to help get the job done," said a spokesperson.

Those who wish to contact the Census Bureau may call 1-866-861-2010 or visit them on the Internet at www.2010censusjobs.gov. A U.S. Census recruiter will be at the Rector Community Center at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, to test interested persons. Those interested may call 1-866-861-2010 to schedule a test session, but walk-ins also are welcome Thursday. Applicants are reminded to take two forms of ID.