Good at Counting? U.S. Census Bureau is Hiring

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. The bureau says the short-term jobs offer flexible hours and paid training.

Locally, the offices are hiring more than 3,000 people to work in its San Fernando Valley offices in Canoga Park, Panorama City and Burbank. Pay varies from $12.75 to $18 per hour for temporary jobs that will continue through the end of September 2010.

The next local test will be held at the Woodland Hills Branch Library, on Saturday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. No special experience or education is required, although an employment test is administered for clerical and field positions.

Practice tests can be found on the Census jobs website, www.census2010jobs.gov.

Two forms of identification are required in most cases. For example, a valid driver’s license and Social Security card or alternatively, a valid US Passport is sufficient by itself. Anyone who is later invited to take a position with the Census will undergo fingerprinting and a background check.

Field workers will take a count in person by visiting households that do not return forms. The Local Offices and the Regional Census Center in Northridge will also be filling a number of administrative positions.

Each office will hire 1,000 workers to conduct the 2010 census required by the U.S. Constitution since 1790. Additional offices are located in Santa Clarita and Thousand Oaks. Applications must be submitted in person on the day of your employment test. Blank applications can be found on the Census Jobs website or at the test locations.

Interested persons can apply by calling (866) 861-2010, or online here. To find other offices in the region, you can the Census Bureau’s interactive map.