Every 10 years, a census of our population is conducted. The results help determine how federal funds are spent in your community on things like roads, parks, and other public services, as well as your representation in government. As a census taker, you'll help to make sure that everyone in your community is counted. A 2010 Census job offers a lot: good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and the chance to work independently in your own community. But there's more, you'll also be earning a place in history, as well as giving something back to your community. Conducting the census is a huge undertaking, and it requires...a wide variety of positions.

For the 2010 Census, thousands of census takers are needed for temporary jobs. These employees conduct interviews with community residents. Most positions require a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle. Census jobs offer good pay, which varies by location. Also, census takers are reimbursed for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage. For more information, check with your Local Census Office, visit [the] jobs web site at www.2010censusjobs.gov, or call [the] toll-free jobs line: 1-866-861-2010 (FedRelay 1-800-877-8339 TTY).

Be a part of the 2010 Census Team!

• Earn good pay
• Get paid weekly
• Work flexible hours
• Receive paid training
• Receive reimbursement for authorized mileage and other work-related expenses
• Help your community have a successful 2010 Census

What is the work schedule?

Census taker schedules typically include from 20 to 40 hours of work per week. These positions require interviewing the public, so you must be available to work when people are usually at home, such as in the evening and on weekends.

Will I be hired?

Due to the nature of census work, a large number of people apply and take the employment test. However, not everyone who is qualified will be hired. Job offers depend on the availability of work within each community, test scores, and other qualifications. Only applicants who are being considered for a census job will be called.

About the Employment Test

The employment test consists of 28 multiple-choice questions designed to measure the skills and abilities required to perform a variety of census jobs, such as clerical skills, reading skills, number skills, interpreting information and evaluating alternatives, and organizational skills. In some areas, the test may be given in Spanish, upon request. These applicants must also take and pass an English proficiency test. You will have 30 minutes to complete the test. You may retake the test on a different day if you would like to improve your score.

Available Positions

Census Takers

Census takers usually work in their own neighborhoods or communities and must work varied hours, not exceeding 40 hours per week. Since most census taker positions require personally interviewing respondents, you must be able to work when people are typically at home, which includes evening and weekend hours. In most cases, a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle are required to work as a census taker. Census taker assignments generally last several weeks. As a census taker, you will: locate households, conduct interviews with respondents, explain the purpose of the census, record responses on paper, and meet with your crew leader every day to turn in completed work and payroll forms, and to discuss your progress.

Crew Leaders

Crew leaders work in the field. They must work varied hours in order to meet with crews regularly. This means being available days, evenings, and weekends, but not exceeding 40 hours per week. Crew leader assignments generally last several weeks. Crew leaders train, supervise, and review the work of census takers on their team, or crew. As a crew leader, you will: train and supervise census takers and crew leader assistants, meet daily with census takers to review their assignments and approve their daily payroll records, and ensure that census procedures are followed.

Crew Leader Assistants

Like census takers, crew leader assistants usually work in their own neighborhoods or communities. They must work varied hours in order to assist the crew leader. This means being available days, evenings, and weekends, but not exceeding 40 hours per week. Crew leader assistant assignments generally last several weeks. As a crew leader assistant, you will: assist crew leaders by performing delegated tasks (e.g., meeting with census takers to review their work and answer questions) and perform some of the same field work as census takers.

Recruiting Assistants

Recruiting assistants work in the field, where and when needed; this means daytime, evening, and weekend hours, not exceeding 40 hours per week. In most cases, a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle are required to work as a recruiting assistant. Recruiting assistants who complete their assignments may be eligible to work in other positions in remaining operations. As a recruiting assistant, you will: promote census jobs to recruit new applicants, locate, set up, and run applicant employment testing sessions, ask community organizations to donate space for testing and training, and review and send applicants' materials to and from the Local Census Office.

Census Clerks

Clerks work inside the LCO, and their work is intermittent. Work hours cannot exceed 8 hours per day, or 40 hours per week. Although most clerks work during daytime office hours, some may work in the evenings and on weekends. As a census clerk, you will perform a variety of office duties that may include: answering applicant calls and scheduling tests, supporting recruiting assistants, processing employee payroll and personnel actions, providing administrative support to field staff, and using a computer to conduct tasks.