I’ve asked mailmen for directions to addresses I can’t find. I don’t ask them about the occupants, though.
You’ll have that happen a lot, by the way. Despite a law passed nearly 20 years ago, about 40% of houses don’t have addresses on display. Not on the house, the garage, the curb, or the mailbox.
It seems that law was not Federal but was passed in multiple jurisdictions all over the country. Guidelines are generally posted under “911 address requirements” if you feel like looking.
Is anyone else having trouble locating addresses? My GPS got me so lost today that I gave up and went home.
I run into this as a Wag walker. I figure they are not paying me to walk the dog, I would do that for free (as they are ALL good dogs). They are paying me to figure out how to get through the gate when the code they gave me doesn’t work, then wend my way through a complex and figure out its numbering system, then figure out where they hid the Wag lockbox. Sometimes it is not even worth it–but then I get to walk the dog.
I’m still in the online training phase, and am stuck on a certain module (Challenging Situations) and have been since yesterday. I called my supervisor, and he gave me a direct line to our state’s IT facility, and maybe that will help. He did say that other people have reported the same thing.
I just want to get this training done, so I can get this show on the road, in more ways than one.
I’m about ready to just throw in the towel. I can’t be the only one.
The Census will happen, or not happen, with or without me. That’s how frustrated I am at this point.
Newest update: I just spoke with my supervisor about the (NEW) phone issue, and he said that the delay in calling me back was due to him having to deliver a load of defective phones to the state office, 3 hours away. He apologized profusely for the wait, to which I replied he had done the right thing, and said that lots of other people are also having THIS issue. Whether I will need a new phone or not remains to be seen, as does my computer module training.
Which phone issue? There are a couple that I’ve seen.
THIS one is that I can’t sign into any of the census apps, because it says “Authentication cancelled by user,” and pulling up “details” leads to a screen of gibberish. My supervisor was completely baffled by that one.
No major IT issues here (SF Bay Area). Sorry to hear of your troubles @nearwildheaven. I’m about 75% through the training. My particular problem is…I’m just not feeling enthused about doing the interviews…I guess I’ll finish the training and see how I feel about it then.
I’m going to put this on the back burner for now, until I hear more. It will help my sanity.
That’s a new one. I’ve seen phones refuse to stay on, phones flashing the Census seal screen on and off, phones freezing in the field, and phones not signing into the Hub. IT must feel so secure in their jobs.
Allyn, the interviews really are easy and do take only about ten minutes. Most of the people are nice and the older ones will remember doing this before and how complicated the forms used to be.
Except for COVID, which doesn’t seem to be a huge problem in my area, I can relate.
Now we’re getting bonuses! From today’s email:
You Need to Know: From August 9th - August 29th, you will have the opportunity to earn up to $800 in award pay. This award pay will be in addition to your regular pay. Awards are only available to Enumerators who are performing work on NRFU.
What You Need to Do: To receive this award pay, you must:
The weekly $50-100 award will first be paid out with the September 2nd paycheck. After that, the $50-$100 award will be paid out weekly. The $500 award will be paid out with the September 23rd paycheck. All awards will be calculated automatically based on your approved timesheets and cases worked between August 9th - August 29th. There is no action needed on your part beyond working the hours indicated above and completing the required caseload to receive the additional money. However, it is important that you submit your timesheets daily and on time to ensure timely payment of your award.
I’d love to get a bonus, if I could work to earn one. 
Some towns are reporting, usually via Next Door, that there are scammers - people who knock on doors and say they’re from the Census, and ask for money. If (generic) you encounter one of these, call the police immediately.
I got through the Challenging Situations module earlier today. Just have the Skills Check and Evaluation to go…I think I’ll complete those tomorrow.
Handling the different situations has my head spinning so I think a little time away will be helpful. Plus, playing around with the training FDC more…
Now they’re offering overtime pay! They must be really desperate.
I saw a census worker talking to our neighbors last week.
I am actually enjoying the work. I have met some nice people, encountered very few hostile ones, and I am averaging 35 people a day.
I got through the Capstone teleconference this morning. It was kind of a disorganized mess but I got though it. Took the final exam and feedback. I still feel ambivalent…I think I just have to sit down and go through the scenarios a few more times to get comfortable with it all.
Essentially I’m ready to go out…I’ll give it a few days, hopefully I get used to it…