Census jobs still available
If you're still thinking of going after one of those part-time jobs with the U.S. Census Bureau this spring, there's still time to apply.
If you live in Walworth or Jefferson counties, call soon to set up a time to take the test and fill out the application, a census official advised. That's because census officials believe they have nearly enough applicants to cover their needs, and they'll soon stop recruiting in Walworth or Jefferson counties.
If you live in Rock, Green or Dane counties, officials are interested in recruiting quite a few more workers, said Jennifer Sciacca, regional recruiter for the U.S. Census Bureau in Chicago.
The recruiting goal for the Madison-based census region was 4,200, and as of Thursday, 1,500 more still were needed Sciacca said.
Sciacca wasn't sure why more people haven't applied for the jobs in an area of high unemployment. She speculated that some are receiving unemployment benefits and want to stay home with their families.
Applications from urban areas generally have been much stronger than in rural areas, Sciacca said, but she wasn't sure why. She said she's trying to arrange more testing sites in rural areas where the need still is great.
Census jobs pay $13 an hour in the Madison area but $14 an hour in the Kenosha-based area that includes Walworth County. Most jobs also require U.S. citizenship, a driver's license, use of a vehicle and the ability to go door-to-door to interview people.
Some of bilingual workers are needed.
The numbers of census workers that will be needed is really unknown. Official set recruiting goals based on the need for the 2000 census, Sciacca said.
The recruiting goal is set higher than what is needed to cover the probability that some people will change their minds by the time they're called in to work this spring, Sciacca said.
Much depends on how many households complete their census forms. When forms aren't returned, that's when census workers are sent out to get the information.
Census forms will be mailed this month and into March, Sciacca said. All forms are to be mailed back by April 1. After April 1, officials will have a better idea of the number of workers they'll need.
If the response rate is lower than expected, the census might have to recruit more workers, Sciacca said. If the response rate is high, fewer workers will be needed.
Sciacca said people who already have taken the test should not worry if they haven't been called. They won't be called until April at the earliest.
People who scored highest on the tests will be called first, and then the next lowest scores, until all the positions are filled, Sciacca said.
"If people feel their test score is too low, they're welcome to take the test as many times as they like." Sciacca said.
The economy might have an impact on how long the jobs will last, Sciacca said. The thought is that more workers will be available to work longer hours this year than in 2000, so the work might be completed in fewer days.
The original thought was that the positions could last 10 weeks, but the job might get done in two to six weeks Sciacca said.
Again, it all depends on the public's response to the census.
CENSUS JOBS
To schedule yourself to take the test for a U.S. Census Bureau job in the Madison area, which includes Rock and Green counties, call 1-608-327-5620. In the Kenosha area, which includes Walworth County, call 1-262-842-1620.
For more information, including a practice test, go online to 2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs.
Some upcoming testing dates in this area include the following. Walk-ins are welcome, but identification is needed. Bring a passport or two other forms of identification, such as a birth certificate, driver's license or Social Security card.
Saturday, Feb. 20
-- Elkhorn Citizens Bank, 10 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn, 9 a.m.
-- Basics Food Store, 1711 Lodge Drive, Janesville, 11 a.m.
-- Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 22
-- Stateline Literacy Council, 822 Broad St., Beloit, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 23
-- Elkhorn Citizens Bank, 10 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn, 1 p.m.
-- Room 261 at University Center, UW-Whitewater, 800 W. Main St., 2 p.m.
-- Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
-- Basics Food Store, 1711 Lodge Drive, Janesville, 5 p.m.
-- Darien Senior Center, 47 Park St., 7 p.m. This test is for Spanish-speakers, who must also pass an English-proficiency test.
Wednesday, Feb. 24
-- Palmyra Fire Department, 126 N. 1st St., 10 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 25
-- Eager Free Public Library, 39 W. Main St., Evansville, Evansville, 10 a.m.
-- Room 261 at University Center, UW-Whitewater, 800 W. Main St., 2 p.m.
-- Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 W. Main St., 5:30 p.m.
-- Darien Senior Center, 47 Park St., 7 p.m. This test is for Spanish-speakers.
Friday, Feb. 26
-- Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 W. Main St., 9:30 a.m.
-- Rock County Jobs Center, 1900 Center Ave., Janesville, 10 a.m.
-- Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
-- Brodhead Memorial Public Library, 1207 25th St., 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 27
-- Elkhorn Citizens Bank, 10 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn, 9 a.m.
-- Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Feb 21, 2010 at 6:21 p.m.
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Where do guys get your information? A part time job does not "screw up your unemployment". If anything it makes it last a little longer. A job is a job at this point. Sure the job sucks, but so what? Who said life was easy?
Feb 21, 2010 at 4:23 p.m.
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No one is lazy for not taking these jobs. They suck and yes, they will screw up your unemployment. As a poster said, people earn, while working, unemployment and then when laid off or fired they can receive those benefits. So what is wrong with that? I did the telephone book thingy and it really sucked! You use your car, your gas, your shoes, your muscle aches and get paid bad wages just to have people bi_ch at you and dogs chase you and bark at you. Not fun at all! JMO
Feb 21, 2010 at 1:06 p.m.
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meerkat- good post and nice comment.
Feb 21, 2010 at 11:19 a.m.
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Those of you that comment in a negative way to those that our collecting umemployment our ignorant to the facts. This is not welfare, this is umemployment. They did not quit their jobs, otherwise they would not be able to collect it. When you comment in such a way it makes you sound, well, kinda stupid. I hate to say it, but its true. I guess the only way you will fully understand it would be to find yourself one day, in the same situation.
Feb 21, 2010 at 9:45 a.m.
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While I'm at it--- I worked 27 yrs for a company and they closed. Get it --they quit me I didn't quit them. I took dead end jobs to make ends meet. drove truck coast to coast and hated it but only thing available. Yes changed career and worked to obtain a CDL. relocated from Beloit for employment and months later "down-sized". Now attending Tech College and scheduled to graduate this May. Hell yes I'm on employment compensation and I EARNED it just like everyone else who is entitled has earned it. So to you who have a job be grateful and quit judging others until you have fwalked in our shoes. WOW that makes me feel better to vent.
Feb 21, 2010 at 9:37 a.m.
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Sandman I prefer not to work outside in cold conditions, (health reasons) icy side walks. dogs, irate residents, etc, and you judge me lazy? rremember when you point a finger you have 3 pointing back at you.
Feb 21, 2010 at 8:53 a.m.
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SANDMAN- apparently ur the one who is lazy if that is all you do all day is comment on articles this just happens to be 1 that i commented on!! get a life! and who are you to say im lazy? im a single mother of 2 trying to find a job bc my ue benefits end this week not to mention ive been looking for a job for well over a year! and all you got is trash to talk?? this must be your hobby?
FREERADICAL- thanks for the additional info and being so polite about it! you dont see to much of politeness going on when you read ppls comments on articles on this website! so thank you!!
Feb 21, 2010 at 12:07 a.m.
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emac: But taking a part-time job will also stretch out your unemployment funds if the total dollar amount is low. I just think it is better to work when one can find it than to use up all of your unemployment hoping for a better job to come along.
Feb 20, 2010 at 11:54 p.m.
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I worked for the Census in May 09 and still collected UC. It depends on how many hours you work and what the pay rate is, so to say that you lose is inaccurate. I came out ahead. I'm still on the list to work, haven't been called since my last job ended first part of June; there are no guarantees once you take the test as to being hired. If and when your name comes up they call its short notice and you have to be ready to hit the ground running.
Feb 20, 2010 at 11:30 p.m.
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Take a minute and visit the UIC website then use their calculator to see how a PT job effects your regular benefits. It's pretty ugly. You would end up gaining less than half of the gross pay. I'm not saying there isn't a gain, but I see why people think twice before they take a PT job.
Feb 20, 2010 at 10:37 p.m.
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I've worked a lot of temporary jobs and been grateful to have them. I worked the last census but doubt that I could handle all the walking this time around. I would do it again if it were a telephone job. Plus, the pay is good for this kind of work.
Feb 20, 2010 at 9:22 p.m.
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Sandman, sometimes a guaranteed 9-12 months on unemployment is more promising than a temp job with no benefits and no guaranteed assignment length. Just saying.
Feb 20, 2010 at 9:21 p.m.
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Nikki,Theres still more testing dates in Janesville. Also it's not like they give you a job on the spot. Make it to a testing date and you should have an equal opportunity.
It's not so much the FT/PT, as much as the census is only a short term temp job, and after it's over there are no benefits. Actually there are no benefits period, and for some people, going from unemployment to the census will take away their remaining unemployment eligibility when the assignment is done, as far as I know.
I was a crew leader for the census, and unless you are an enumerator I would not recommend taking thie job.
Feb 20, 2010 at 9:17 p.m.
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Yes, it's probably the Gazette's fault that people didn't get notified in time--they've only been running articles about it for the last 6-9 months! And I'm sure the "jobless center" has also been privy to this info for eons. But go ahead and blame it on someone or something--instead of your own laziness--if it makes you feel better.
These numbers speaks volumes for (or in this case, against) many of the unemployed in this area. They'd rather be on the continuous dole than accept what they consider to be a low-paying job for a limited time period, thereby perhaps adding something aside from "line worker" or "student" to their resumes.
Now that's (false) "pride" (and one of the prime problems with this country as a whole right now!). I bet people in Mexico, India and China would jump at the opportunity for "W-O-R-K" (they are hungry for a chance, and then they haven't come to rely on government handouts...yet!). And if this job could have been done via phone from their home countries, that's who'd be doing it too!
Feb 20, 2010 at 7:59 p.m.
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i like how the gazette posted this so damn later looks like some of us ppl in rock cty couldve gotten jobs today had we known about the thing at basic foods at 11am! way to go gazette
Feb 20, 2010 at 7:39 p.m.
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The census worker "killed" in Kentucky hung himself in a cemetery (suicide). I don't think that has any relevance to this. I do think that people are seeking FT, rather than PT. PT is hard to fill.... I find this in my own business.
Feb 20, 2010 at 6:25 p.m.
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Wasn't a Census worker killed several months ago? Maybe thats why they aren't getting many folks. JMO.
Feb 20, 2010 at 6:07 p.m.
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The pretest is easy-check it out on the census website. Out of 28 questions, 10 is a passing score; less than 35% accuracy. Pretty pathetic. Everywhere else that is a failing score. They need people who can work nights and weekends.
Feb 20, 2010 at 5:26 p.m.
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It wasn't fair to suggest people are not signing up to work for the census because they would rather collect unemployment and stay home with their families. What do people do when this part time job is finished? Bills have to be paid. We need permanent jobs. In this day and age, who would go knocking on strangers doors anyway.
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