Census Bureau Seeking to Hire

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The U.S. Census Bureau is still looking to hire 5,000 workers to help with the 2010 census in Oklahoma and Logan counties.

With only a few weeks to go before the 2010 census begins, workers are desperate to get the phones ringing. They're trying to hire enough staff so they can start counting people.

"That determines our political representation for Congress for our House of Representatives. It also helps determine how over $400 billion in federal funds are allocated out to the states annually," said Sidna Madden, U.S. Census Bureau.

The response to the job offer has been slow going for the agency. Madden said the jobs start at about $10 an hour for officer workers and top out at about $17 an hour for field workers.

"We need our phones ringing, we need people to be coming in applying taking our tests. We need people," Madden said.

Interested job seekers have to be 18 years old, have a valid driver's license and Social Security card. Applicants will have to take a competency test that last about 30 minutes. Job seekers should call 1-866-861-2010 to apply.

Once the census gets underway people are being encouraged to participate in the process. Oklahoma residents will be mailed a census form that asks 10 simple questions including age, number of people in the household, and race. If the form is not returned, a census worker will come to your house. Census officials said Oklahomans need to watch out for people posing as census workers.

"A census worker is going to have proper identification. A census worker is probably going to be carrying a small electronic device to record information, and they're most likely going to have a badge or a satchel that has the logo on it," said Bob Manista, Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma CEO.

Manista said at no time will a census worker ask for bank information, social security numbers, or immigration status, nor will you be asked that information on the forms.

The Census Bureau is not aligned with any other federal agency such as the FBI or the immigration service.

2010 Census Form

The Questions on the Form: One of the shortest forms in history - 10 Questions in 10 Minutes

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