- Is the employment test difficult?
- Do census taker positions pay well?
- How can I apply for a job for the 2010 Census?
- How do I check on the status of my 2010 Census employment application or test score?
- What are the qualifications for a census job?
- Do you offer paid training?
- Where will census takers be assigned to work?
- How can Tribal Governments help recruit census workers?
- Do you offer reimbursement for work-related expenses?
- Can non-citizens be hired to work on the census?
Q: Is the employment test difficult?
A: No, it is a multiple-choice test of basic skills. These basic skills include reading, following written instructions, basic math, and map reading. Applicants may retake the test to improve their score. If you would like to retake the test, you may do so on another day. You may only take the test once a day. In order to prepare for the test, a practice test is available online.
Q: Do census taker positions pay well?
A: Yes, the interactive map will enable you to find census taker pay rates for your local area. Census takers are paid weekly through direct deposit or they will receive a paycheck in the mail. They can expect to receive their first paycheck approximately ten to fourteen days after their first day of work, and will receive subsequent paychecks direct deposited or by mail, every seven days.
Q: How can I apply for a job for the 2010 Census?
A: See the How to Apply page for more information.
Q: How do I check on the status of my 2010 Census employment application or test score?
A: You can check on the status of your application by calling your Local Census Office. Or, you can call the toll-free Jobs line at 1-866-861-2010 and enter your ZIP Code, to be routed to the appropriate Local Census Office (TTY users should call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339).
Please understand that not every qualified applicant will be offered a census job. The availability of jobs depends on the amount of work in each neighborhood. Most jobs will not be available until the spring of 2010. Only applicants who are being considered for a job will be contacted by their Local Census Office.
Q: What are the qualifications for a census job?
A: You may qualify for a job if:
- You are able to read, write, and speak English.
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You are a legal permanent resident, or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa, and you possess a bilingual skill for which there are no available qualified U.S. citizens.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have a valid social security number.
- You take a written test of basic skills.
- You have a valid driver's license.
- You pass a background check.
- You commit to four days of training. You will be paid for training days. Training can be held either during daytime hours or during evening and weekend hours.
If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/59, you must confirm that you are registered with the Selective Service System. For more information, please visit Selective Service System's Web site at: http://www.sss.gov.
Q: Do you offer paid training?
A: Yes. Each census taker receives up to four days of paid training.
Q: Where will census takers be assigned to work?
A: The Census Bureau is committed to hiring people to work in their own communities because they are usually the most familiar with the people and places within their community.
Q: How can Tribal Governments help recruit census workers?
A: Tribal Governments can help recruit census workers by:
- Providing the Census Bureau staff with space for testing and/or training.
- Offering practice testing sessions to prepare applicants for the census employment test. The Census Bureau provides practice tests to prepare applicants for the employment test.
- Continuing applicant referral services and public awareness plans to provide a point of contact between the Census Bureau and residents within the tribe.
- Advertising jobs through local radio announcements, cable television stations and tribal newsletters.
Q: Do you offer reimbursement for work-related expenses?
A: Yes, census takers will be reimbursed for authorized work expenses such as mileage incurred while conducting census work.
Q: Can non-citizens be hired to work on the census?
A: U.S. citizens are given hiring preference. However, if we need to hire someone with a particular language skill and no U.S. citizens are available, lawful permanent residents or conditional permanent residents and non-citizens with an appropriate work visa may be hired.
