Census counts on workers in Kelso, Longview
Monday, January 5, 2009 3:32 PM PST
By Amy M.E. Fischer
Printable version
E-mail this articleOnly a few dozen people so far have applied for the nearly 300 temporary U.S. Census jobs available in the area in the upcoming months, according to WorkSource recruiters.
About 278 workers are needed over the next year and a half to ensure all area residents are counted in the 2010 Census, said Sandy Tilton, a business account representative at Kelso’s WorkSource office. The number of workers needed is based on county population, she said Tuesday.
The pay ranges from $13.25 an hour to $14.75 an hour for work that entails physically verifying addresses, conducting interviews with residents, coordinating census crews or working in local census offices. Job candidates must pass a basic skills test. Most hiring will take place between February and May of this year.
Although WorkSource posted the census job description in mid-November, only 50 to 60 people have signed up for testing sessions, Tilton said. The lukewarm response is likely due to the nasty winter weather, or people just aren’t aware the jobs are available, she said.
“It’s a really good opportunity for people,” she said. “It’s definitely a good situation for people who need to earn some money.”
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is a headcount of everyone in the United States and has been conducted every 10 years since 1790, according to www.census.gov. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The census count also is used in distributing about $300 billion in federal funding each year for public programs in education, community health care, public transportation, housing and other areas.
The Census Bureau will mail questionnaires to households in March 2010. A second form will be mailed to households that don’t respond to the first questionnaire. Households that still don’t respond will be called or visited by a census worker, who can be identified by a census badge and bag, according to www.census.gov.
How do I apply for a census job?
Call 1-866-861-2010 to schedule a testing session date. Testing is held in Woodland and at Longview’s CAP office. Applicants must pass a written basic skills test in 30 minutes. The test includes reading and basic math. Applicants should allow an hour for the test, however, because there’s paperwork to fill out first. Scores are sent to Olympia, and qualified applicants who pass will be notified. Those who flunk may retake the test later. An online practice test is available for those who register.
What are the requirements?
Applicants must:
• Pass a written basic skills test
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Be able to commit to 3 1/2 days of training
What are the work conditions?
Census work is a series of short- or long-term project-based assignments, and some positions may have the potential to become permanent. According to Tilton, the first wave of employees will be needed to work 40 hours a week to walk through neighborhoods verifying and updating lists of addresses. The job has more flexibility than traditional work, Tilton said.
Depending on the survey workload, employees will work about 20 to 80 hours per month. Employees must be available for afternoon, evening and weekend work.
What does the work involve?
• Verifying addresses
• Interviewing households at selected sample addresses
• Asking questions from survey interviewing forms
• Personal and telephone interviewing
• Keeping detailed paperwork
• Laptop computers are used for most surveys
crowsfeet wrote on Jan 5, 2009 7:37 AM:
pangborn wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:20 AM:
JustMyOpinion wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:34 AM:
Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:37 AM:
Louie wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:46 AM:
For those young and brave and unemployed this sounds like a great job opportunity...if your noses are clean. "
Frugal in Kelso wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:39 PM:
BLAZZZ-O wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:11 PM:
frankenzombie wrote on Jan 5, 2009 3:56 PM:
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