She put out the word mid-December the Census Bureau was looking for people to work part time following up this spring with people in Union County who didn’t return a census form.
With those forms set to go out in the mail by March, McFalls encourages people to apply and test for one of the still open census taker positions available.
The job lasts approximately three months later this spring and early summer but could end sooner, McFalls said. It’s not a 9 a.m.-5 p.m. job. Census takers will work at least 20 hours per week but no more than 40.
“And they will have to work some weekends,” McFalls said.
People hired for the positions will have the opportunity to work in their own neighborhoods as much as possible but also will have the chance to visit other residences throughout the county. Union County residents also will only work in Union County.
The anticipated starting wage for each position — while subject to change — is $14 per hour and 50 cents reimbursement per mile for any travel a census taker inurs.
To be considered for a position, interested people must first take a simple basic skills test comprised of 28 questions which takes about an hour to complete. You must also be at least 18 years old.
When applying, remember to bring two forms of identification. McFalls said a photo ID such as a state-issued drivers license, military ID or school ID and a birth certificate or Social Security card will be accepted. The application and test process can last about two hours and applicants also must fill out an I-9 form.
McFalls also said anyone outside Union County who would like to test at a Union County location is welcome to but, if hired, will work in their home county.
McFalls is available at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for testing on Tuesdays at the Army National Guard armory at 239 Gilead St. in Jonesville. Tests also are being administered at the local unemployment office in Union and McFalls is available there at least two times per week.
She’s open to testing at other locations around the county, as well.
“If any organization has a place that we could use as a testing site, please email me,” McFalls said, adding her email address is branmcfa@yahoo.com. “And any church interested in letting us come one evening and test church members, we would be more than happy to set that up.”
The positions are open to anyone. Even people who already have full-time jobs can apply.
“Anyone that already has a full-time job can also work with the Census,” McFalls said. “You just must be able to work at least 20 hours weekly and not over 40.”
FOR MORE INFO:
To get more information, call 1-866-861-2010. Callers will be asked to input their ZIP Code and then be given available test dates and locations. The system also will assist interested persons in setting up an appointment to take the test if necessary.
UPCOMING TESTING DATES:
Census Recruiter Assistant for Union County Brandy McFalls released this schedule for January of upcoming test dates to be considered for one of the open part-time census taker positions:
Date Place/Time
Jan. 14 Kelly-Kelton Fire Department, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 Lockhart Town Hall, 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 16 Union County Museum, 3 p.m.
Jan. 18 Lockhart Town Hall, 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 19 Jonesville Armory, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 Kelly-Kelton Fire Department, 6 p.m.
Jan. 21 Career Source, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Jan. 25 Union One Stop Employment Office,
9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Jan. 26 Jonesville Armory, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Jan. 27 Career Source, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Jan. 28 Bonham Fire Department, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 Union Museum, 3 p.m.
Jan. 31 Kelly-Kelton Fire Department, 3 p.m.
WHY THE CENSUS IS IMPORTANT:
Each year, the U.S. Federal Government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on data collected by the Census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The same data is often used to determine locations retail establishment and other community facilities as well as helping to determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Here’s a look at just what getting an accurate count means:
Legislative purposes
Census information affects the numbers of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. It also helps states redistrict legislative boundaries. Here’s a look at how redistricting is done:
• Redistricting is the process of changing electoral district and constituency boundaries, usually in response to periodic census results.
• The U.S. Constitution requires electoral districts be periodically adjusted or redrawn to account for population shifts.
• While the census does provide information to the U.S. states on population in order for the states to redistrict appropriately, the census is not actually responsible for the act of redistricting. State legislatures or independent bipartisan commissions — depending on the state — are the bodies that actually redraw district lines.
Community purposes
Residents themselves use census date for various reasons, including environmental legislation, quality-of-life issues and consumer advocacy. Here are a few examples:
• The Organic Consumers Association used census date to lobby the Environmental Protection Agency to halt testing dangerous chemicals on low-income children in Floria. Census data was used to augment the organization’s case and helped get needed signatures on its petition.
• A town in Minnesota used census data to push for further examination of the environmental and physiological impact of a proposed energy facility.
• Save the Manatee Club petitioned the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to step up protection of Florida’s at-risk species by using census data.
People from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes such as those above, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.
Infrastructure and services purposes
Again, census data helps determine how $400 billion in federal funding is spent each year on projects like:
• Hospitals.
• Job training centers.
• Schools.
• Senior centers.
• Bridges, tunnels and other public works projects.
• Emergency services.
“By participating in the census, you can help create a better future for you and those important to you,” states the Census Bureau brochure “The 2010 Census: How People Are Counted. The same publication also adds, ”It will affect your community’s future.”
CENSUS BY THE NUMBERS:
$400 billion
The amount of federal money census data helps to determine how to allocate.
10
The number of minutes it takes to complete the 2010 census form you will receive in the mail sometime in March.
1790
The first year a census was taken in the United States.
1902
The year the U.S. Census Bureau was established.
200+
The number of annual surveys the Census Bureau conducts.
50%-67%
The final mail response rate for Union County and the Upstate for the 2000 census.
KEY 2010 CENSUS DATES:
February-March
Census questionnaires mailed or delivered.
March-April
Be Counted program is implemented. Census questionnaires are available at select public sites for individuals who did not receive one by mail.
April 1, 2010
Census Day
May-July
Census takers — now being hired, including right here in Union County — visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
Dec. 31, 2010
By law, the U.S. Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
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