For those seeking U.S. Census jobs

[Le Taz Hot]

I've been at the ELCO (Early Local Census Office) for almost 3 weeks now and, even though I'm in I.T., Administration has been DELUGED with applications and tests so I've been helping out inputting into the system. As such, I've learned a few things about the application process:

- If your area is saturated with applications you pretty much have to get a 25 (out of 28) or better on the test. If you score below that, take the test again and try to up to your score. ABSOLUTELY do the practice test on the U.S. Census website before you take it. It's pretty much identical to the one you'll be taking. Remember, you're competing against veterans who are getting 5 or 10 EXTRA points.

- If you're taking the Supervisor Test, think government job. They're taking the stance that, since this is a temporary position and there is a deadline, don't spend time retraining anyone or giving anyone time off for personal time -- just fire them.

- You HAVE to have a driver's license and automobile. I know they don't tell you that but the system kicks back an error message if "no" is the answer to "Do you have a license?"

- You can't have any felonies in the last 10 years.

- You can't have another government job.

- You can't have any outstanding federal, state, local debt (such as a I.R.S lien or child support).

- Your application must be complete, including having submitted a photo I.D. and a SS card.

- You should have an open schedule, i.e., be available at all times, including weekends (they're not going to make you work at night).


- We're STILL inputting applications and the office is busy from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm calling people for work. Right now they're hiring Enumerators (address collectors), Assistant Crew Leaders and Crew Leaders. It's going to take WEEKS to contact these people, hire them and train them.

- Some of it has to do with where you live. They're trying to hire Enumerators that live in the area. Your area may be saturated with applicants -- however, there are areas that had no one apply so you could easily be called upon to cover an area other than your own.


One last thing, from the time I took my test to the time I actually started work was about 6 weeks so if you've applied and still haven't been called, don't get discouraged. They've only been calling people en masse for about 2 weeks and we're nowhere near halfway through.


I've got to get to work in about an hour so could you guys keep this kicked for a little bit? Thanks!

[shraby]

1. I'll give it a kick!

[babylonsister]

2. Rec'd, and thanks for the info! I'm sure this will benefit someone here. nt

[Lochloosa]

3. Thanks for the info. K/R

[Ohio Joe]

4. Good info - K&R - nt

[AB_Positive]

5. My mother went in for a census job...

thankfully she has the Veteran's 5 pt. boost and that upped her to a 28 score total.

6 weeks though? Might it be a bit earlier for some areas that don't have as many apps?

[Le Taz Hot]

12. Maybe, but they have a specific deadline

for the whole process. We haven't even had our first wave of enumerators in for training yet. In our county (750,000 population), they're going to need 5,000 people so maybe you can gauge how many will be needed in your area from that information.

Something I forgot to mention in my OP. The only offices up right now are the ELCO's. Additional offices -- LCO's (Local Census Offices) will open up in September. We'll be opening up 3 additional ones in towns about 100 miles away and closer. They're going to need to staff all of these. Remember, this is a two-step process, gathering addresses (Enumerators) and doing all the follow-up work, i.e., door-to-door interviews for non-respondents. The whole process lasts to the end of 2010, though most of us will have been laid off by then.

[Christa]

6. Thank you!

I applied, took the test, got 25 (88%) and still hope they will call me.

[eleny]

7. kr

[Greyhound]

8. And don't bother if your school loans are in default. n/t

[Runcible Spoon]

9. Do those outstanding loans include federal student loans?

:shrug:

Thanks in advance

[Le Taz Hot]

14. Only if they're in defualt.

Sorry, I wasn't clear in my OP.

[distantearlywarning]

10. Thank you for this info!

I took the test on Tuesday, got a 27/28 and was hoping they weren't looking for perfect scores.

I said I could work anytime except Sunday afternoon and Friday evenings. Hopefully that won't a be negative mark against me.

And thanks for letting me know about the 6 week thing. I was a little worried that maybe they had already done all the hiring and I would be waiting in vain for a call that would never come.

Edited to add: How does one take the so-called "Supervisor Test"? I was curious about this, because I have an advanced degree and supervisory experience. I looked on the website and couldn't find anything about a "supervisor test", but the internets are awash with people saying they took it. Please advise - maybe I could take it and qualify for higher pay!

[Le Taz Hot]

15. Call your local census office

and ask to be scheduled for the Supervisor's Test. As they did with your other test, they'll schedule you for a specific time and place and tell you what to bring (reference list and resume).

[eridani]

22. How do you know what you got? I took the test a week ago and haven't heard. n/t

[distantearlywarning]

24. They scored the test right there while we waited.

But I've heard you can call in and they'll tell you.

[eridani]

26. Our tester collected our tests and walked away with them

Haven't heard back since. I suppose I should check the website.

[satya]

11. k&r for a very useful and informative post.

[wroberts189]

13. umm..dumb question but where do you apply? thx nt

[Le Taz Hot]

16. Start by going to the website,

here's the URL: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php

[Le Taz Hot]

17. Kick

For all of those who are out of work.

[qb]

18. Thank you! My friend is applying for a census job.

:hi:

[samplegirl]

19. I called today....and they said all testing has been canceled

until September. So I was pretty discouraged. Although the website did not state that and said that most hiring was from February until May.
Guess they had more than they needed in Ohio.

[robinlynne]

20. No more spots for testing available in Los angeles.

[ThoughtCriminal]

21. Testing next week

Trying to decide if I want to check the "Willing to work in field" box. Prefer the office and have many years of computer experience, but I understand that there are not many positions available.

[yorgatron]

23. k n r

[lunatica]

25. kick

[Pharlo]

27. WI here,

I was told the same as some of the others - overwhelming response and testing has been cancelled until fall.