US Census
http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php
Sometimes getting a part time job is hard because the hours won't work with your other full time job or your schedule. There is a unique opportunity that comes up every 10 years - a part time job, with hours that match your time off, and is very close to home: Census Bureau jobs.
Working for the census is only part time ("when people are likely to be home"), temporary ("until all the data is collected", about 10 weeks), and actually in your neighborhood; and it just so happens that this year (2010) is a census year, so there are many part time jobs available to help the government with data collection.
What is it? Every ten years the US government is obligated to take a census count of all the people living in the nation. This takes a lot of work, and many part time workers, to gather millions of pieces of information. You will work locally (in your county and neighborhood) to collect statistics on the residents.
How does it work? First you need to register to take an applicant test. You can do that by going to the census.gov website: http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/howtoapply.php and calling the toll free number. The toll free number will give you the number of your local agency who will find a testing location in your area and sign you up. We found that there were many times available, and were able to take the test two days after calling.
The application test is a 28 question multiple choice exam that looks at many things including: math skills, analyzing maps, logic, and clerical skills. There is a practice test here. Before taking the exam you will need to fill out an official application and I9 form which requires you to have a few forms of identification. To find out what types qualify see the "list of approved identication."
After passing the test you will be given a background check. If you pass that then you will be asked to participate in a phone interview. Finally you will go through paid training for a week, and then begin working. According to one reader of Spilling Buckets, Adam, applicants are hired by the order of their scores - so people who get 100% on the exam are hired before people who get 80%, ect.
How much am I paid? Payment depends on your location, and ranges from $8 - $20 per hour. Our location (Rochester, NY) is offering $13.50/hr plus mileage reimbursements.
What are the duties? There are two main types of jobs: updating addresses and conducting interviews, but there are other jobs as well. From the census website:
The main address list updating operation is called Address Canvassing, which will take place in spring 2009. During the Address Canvassing operation, census takers visit all the places where people live or could live. The census taker must knock on each resident's door and if someone answers explain that he or she is verifying the correct address for a short census questionnaire that will be mailed in 2010.
Interviewing operations will take place in the spring and summer of 2010. These operations involve knocking on doors and conducting interviews with residents. The largest interviewing operation is called Non-Response Follow-up. Non-Response Follow-up is performed to get responses from people who have not returned the mail-delivered Census form.
Besides census takers, some people will work as Crew Leaders or Crew Leader Assistants. These positions each coordinate the schedules and work of a team of census takers and meet with each census taker on a daily basis. Others will perform office work at Local Census Offices.
What are the hours? From the website: Work schedules for census takers typically include from 20 to 40 hours of work per week. Some census operations (such as Address Canvassing) require you to work during daylight hours. For interviewing operations such as Non-Response Follow-up, you must be available to work when people are usually at home, such as in the evening and on weekends. Hours for office jobs are less variable but can involve shift work.
Any special qualifications? You need to meet the following criteria:
- Able to read, write, and speak English
- US Citizen or legal permanent resident, or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa, and you possess a bilingual skill for which there are no available qualified citizens.
- Are at least 18 years old
- Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
- Pass the test
- Pass a background check
- Have a drivers license (for field work jobs)
- and are able to make 40 hours of training, available 4 weekdays or 7 nights and weekends (paid)
Do you have experience working on a census? Please share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
