Census Jobs In Hot Demand

The Hernando County Career Central office has been inundated by job-seekers hoping to land one of the 1,400 U.S. Census jobs the agency recently announced.

As of Wednesday, 476 local people have applied for a temporary position as enumerator, crew leader, assistant or clerk, according to Ken Russ, vice president of business services for Career Central.

The jobs pay $10- to $16-an-hour and are spread over Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties. 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.

Russ said his office will accept applications until the recruitment period is concluded and all jobs filled.

Census takers usually work in their own neighborhoods or communities as they gather information for the 2010 census. They work varied hours, normally 20 to 40 hours per week and assignments can last up to several weeks, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Web site.

The workers update address lists and conduct interviews.

County Commissioner John Druzbick said he is not surprised at the high demand for these jobs, especially with unemployment above 10 percent in Hernando County.

These jobs, although temporary, can serve as a stop-gap for people who are out-of-work, he said.

"This is great that they have this opportunity to basically be a bridge between the unemployment they're at now and hopefully finding a permanent job in the next year," Druzbick said.

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 www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/beingacensustaker.php.