1,400 Census Jobs Available

Hernando Today

Wanted: 1,400 people to fill part- and full-time census taker jobs.

Salary: $10- to $16-an hour.

Given the current economic climate, the jobs are not expected to last past the application cut-off date of Saturday, Jan. 31, said Loretta Teague, business service specialist with Career Central's Spring Hill office.

"There are a lot of people out of work and we certainly want to do our part to help them get jobs, even though they're only temporary," Teague said.

Workers will be gathering information for the 2010 census. These jobs will last anywhere from three months to a year, depending on how fast people can cover the geographic area assigned to them, she said.

The 1,400 jobs will be spread over Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties.

The government is looking for enumerators, crew leaders, assistants and clerks to start working shortly past the New Year.

The qualifications are minimal. Applicants must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time, be able to read and write and follow instructions.

A high school or GED is required and people must have a valid driver's license and transportation.

They will also have to pass an exam.

Since the job posting went up 45 days ago, about 300 people have applied, said David Hamilton, operations management consultant with the Pasco Hernando Jobs & Education Partnership Regional Board.

He's not surprised.

"Here in Hernando County, there are a lot of people out of work and this is a very attractive wage level," Hamilton said. "A lot of people fit the skill set (requirements)."

County Commissioner John Druzbick said these jobs are excellent ways for workers to make extra money.

"It definitely would give some people at least a 'bridge' until some permanent work comes along," Druzbick said.

November's unemployment rate in Hernando County was 10.2 percent, the fourth-highest in the state.

The first government census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The results help determine representation in government and how federal funds are spent on roads, parks, housing, schools and public safety.

Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals by Dec. 31, 2010.

For more information about a census job, call Career Central at 200-3020.

To learn more about what it takes to be a temporary census taker, visit http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/beingacensustaker.php.