# US Census Jobs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612 "2009-01-16T16:13:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/1 "2009-01-16T16:13:32Z")
For those in the US temporarily out of work, a friend of mine has decided to do this. Maybe it can hold you until the economy springs back. [http://www.census.gov/roatl/www/Jobs/FieldRep-29-07-MAR-001-cont-amend.pdf](http://www.census.gov/roatl/www/Jobs/FieldRep-29-07-MAR-001-cont-amend.pdf) These are hourly positions, but the pay isn’t bad. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/2 "2009-01-16T16:19:54Z")
I signed up over the weekend, and I’ve got the exam scheduled for next Friday. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/3 "2009-01-16T18:43:46Z")
I was thinking of doing it to pick up some easy cash but since it’s a federal job it might screw with my early retirement since I worked for local government. There’s all sorts of limits and caps on how much additional money you can make but it might only apply to state and local jobs covered by CalPERS. By the time that I figure it out it may be too late. I have a friend that runs the local office so I could get an easy desk job instead of going door to door. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/4 "2009-01-16T21:40:50Z")
I thought about getting a census job, but I’m a Federal retiree and I found out that my wages would be reduced by the amount of my pension. So even if I got a full-time position it would be a zero-sum game for me. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/5 "2009-01-16T23:49:22Z")
Been there, done that. And liked it. Census work is good, especially if you have been out of the workforce awhile. Polishes up your skills. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/6 "2009-01-17T02:10:20Z")
Jali, you make me want to step my game up. You think to post something helpful for dopers out of the damn blue. I’m gonna go shovel my old lady neighbor’s yard now. Thanks a freakin’ bunch. It is 5 degrees out, and now I gotta go out and shovel. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/7 "2009-01-17T05:55:16Z")
I took the exam yesterday and I am hoping for a callback soon. It would really be the most perfect gig for me right now (really, in just about every way, it’s perfect. I so want this to happen!). Someone mentioned it in another thread and it sounded interesting. You can take the exam as many times as you want, with no penalty. I only missed one question (amazing how crappy my math skills got now that I am allowed to rely on a calculator :rolleyes:) so I will stick with the score I have. It’s 28 questions in 30 minutes. If you google for “Census practice test” you can get a good idea what they cover. ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/8 "2009-01-17T09:21:09Z")
I took the test for an enumerator position several weeks ago, before thanksgiving. Maybe they’re doing states in alphabetical order? ETA I’m in Arizona ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-census-jobs/481612/9 "2009-01-17T19:30:48Z")
unfortunately, enumerators are gonna have a bit of a wait. they won’t come online for a bit. the jobs that are starting now are recruiting clerk, they call people or answer the phones to schedule people for the basic skills test. and office clerk who input all the applications and tests into the computer, and do pay roll. local census offices are starting to open up at a quick clip now, so those 2 are the super hot jobs. recruiting agents are being hired, those are the folks who administer the tests. check in your areas, the manager and supervisor tests are just starting. the test covers the management positions of the local census offices and crew and enumerator leaders. it is worth it. so far i’m enjoying the job with the census. a much different office culture than the arch. firms i’m familiar with.