Census Bureau Jobs – What Are Census Jobs Like?

At ten year intervals a census is conducted, whereby the population of the United States is counted household by household. There are many reasons for taking a census, but one of the main reasons is so that the government can determine how to best allocate federal funds. When it is time for a population census, the U.S. Census Bureau begins recruiting part time workers to help conduct the census and perform other census related tasks.

Census jobs usually offer good pay at an hourly rate, and workers are also reimbursed for certain work related expenses such as transport expenses. Hourly rates vary from area to area. They are considered temporary or part time jobs, usually requiring working anywhere from twenty to forty hours per week. Most of the jobs require being able to work evenings and weekends, and also it is often needed that you have a driver’s license and car. Thousands of people are recruited to fill the position of census taker. Aside from census takers, there are also other positions that need to be filled.

Positions That Need to be Filled:

• Census Taker (also referred to as an enumerator)
• Crew Leader
• Crew Leader Assistant
• Recruiting Assistant
• Census Clerk
• Supervisor

The Census Taker (Enumerator): The Census Taker will be allocated a specific area to work in. Their job is to locate households and interview any people who failed to send in their 2010 Census Questionnaire. They need to explain why the census is being taken, and then ask questions and record the answers one a hand-held computer. Most people prefer working in their own neighbourhoods as they are familiar with the general area. Hours are varied, and are usually anywhere from twenty to forty hours a week, often working evenings and weekends as that is best time for finding people at home. As there is quite a bit of travelling involved, it is usually best if the Census Taker has a vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

At the end of each day, the census taker will need to meet with their crew leader, pass on completed questionnaires, discuss how the day went and if they had any problems or questions, and hand over the payroll form.

Payment is made at an hourly rate, which varies quite a bit from area to area. Some people can make as much as $22 an hour, whereas in other locations it may only be $11 per hour. Payment is made at the end of every week. It usually takes most census takers several weeks to finish their assignment.

The Crew Leader: The crew leader is responsible for the census takers working in their area. Rather than visiting households, instead it is the crew leader’s job to train and work with the census takers, and crew leader assistants. They will meet with the census takers at the end of each day, review how their day went and approve their payroll records. A big part of their job is ensuring that the census is being done properly, and that all procedures are being followed. They work on the field, and as with the census taker will need to evenings and weekends, up to forty hours a week. Their job will last as long as the census takers are still on the field.

The Crew Leader’s Assistant: Their job is to assist the crew leader to do their job. Sometimes this may entail meeting with census takers and collecting their interview responses and other data. Other times they may actually do some of the same work as the census takers, such as visiting households and interviewing the occupants. This is a part time job, where most work is accomplished during the evening and weekends, for up to forty hours a week.

The Recruiting Assistant: The job of the recruiting assistant is to let people know that there are census related jobs available, and then find applicants for census jobs. It is their responsibility to find, set up, and administer the census tests. Usually, they will need to ask different organizations or community locations if the testing can be done on their property. For example, if there is a public library in the area, they may ask the library personnel if the testing can be done there. Once they have the test locations set up they will need to let the local census office know where applicants can come, and inform them of the times the testing will be done.

When an applicant arrives to take the test, they will need to check the ID and employment authorisation papers, explain how to do the test and answer anyone’s questions. They will also need to oversee the testing and keep track of the time during the test. Once the test is finished, they are responsible to collect the applicant’s test answer sheets and any other pertinent material and send it to the local census office. Recruiting Assistants can also work up to forty hours a week, however they also need to be available to work during the weekday, as well as of an evening and weekend.

Once the recruiting is over, they may be able to transfer to another position, if one is available, for the course of the census.

The Census Clerk: Census clerks are basically office workers. They work at the Local Census Office, on a part time basis. They often work during regular office hours, for up to forty hours a week. Their duties include answering the telephone, scheduling census tests, processing the payrolls and other administrative support tasks. Usually they will need to be familiar with how to use a computer, and have good office and organizational skills.

Supervisor: The Supervisor is responsible for first of all deciding which areas need employees, and then searching through the database to find the highest scoring applicants from that area. They then begin with the highest scoring applicant and phone from there on down the list until they have enough applicants to fill all of the needed positions. They are responsible for finding experienced workers, if requested and in general are the ones responsible for hiring and placing non-supervisors on the field.