Any DUers ever work for the Census?

[CoffeeCat]

I was wondering if any DUers had worked for the census before. It looks like interesting
work.

I took the census test yesterday. I scored 25 out of 28. I guess that's a decent score.

If you've ever worked for the census, it would be interesting to hear about the experience.

Has anyone been hired for this 2010 census?

[Kat45]

1. I was hired and start my training next week.

I'm a little nervous about having to go to people's houses but the pay is good so I figured I'd give it a try. I worked for them last year also, but that was just walking around to get all the addresses.

[1776Forever]

2. Yes I worked in 1990 and 2000. It is challenging but manageable.

I did find some people who didn't want to participate but they were only a small majority. Most of the mix-ups were because of wrong addresses. Some people would say they had sent their forms in and didn't know why we were there. I always took someone with me in the car with me just in case there was a problem. Good luck you should be fine.

[XemaSab]

3. I was a clerk for three months

It sucked. :P

[Skink]

4. I didn't get a reminder in the mail.

the one the local news is so upset about that cost the govennment a lot. I never filled anything out for 2000 either. :shrug:

[ashling]

5. I delivered census packets door to door in rural Llano

County, Texas. It was interesting.

[ensho]

6. I did decades ago - way before computers

It was a very interesting job. nobody much was complaining about it.

and it gave me some extra money.

[nickinSTL]

7. my wife is working as a clerk

the work is mostly filing and paper-shuffling, and doesn't pay very well, but...

because they start hiring with those who score highest on the test, she has very intelligent co-workers, and considering how long she's been without any kind of work, it's welcome even if it isn't great.

[CoffeeCat]

8. What is a high score on that test?

I wasn't sure how well I did. I scored 25 out of 28. I wasn't told what
that means.

[nickinSTL]

9. Well, my wife got 27 out of 28

plus she had a 5-point bonus due to being a veteran.

From what she told me, they were apparently considering 27 out of 28 to be a 97, plus the 5 points, her total score was 102. The highest possible score is 110, someone who scores perfectly and is a disabled vet.

I'm guessing your score would be about a 90 (assuming no veteran's preference) - however, I don't know where that really puts you - I could ask her about our region, as part of her job is inputting scores and calling people who get hired. However, that would only be an approximation, as it would be dependent upon how many people are taking the test in your region compared to how many people they need to hire and what the score range tends to be in your area - assuming all regions aren't going to be the same.

[CoffeeCat]

10. Thanks for that explanation...

...and kudos to your wife for scoring so high! :)

[nickinSTL]

12. after talking to my wife about it

there is generally a minimum score required of 70 to get a job - however, in some rural areas, to get enough people, they've had to lower their requirements.

In the office where she works, no one has gotten an office job with anything less than a 97 - that's not true for the positions in the field, however.

So, it's hard to say what score is needed to get hired, it really depends on your area.

[cynatnite]

11. My mother did it years ago and some guy sent his dog after her...

she barely made it to her car. Your choice, but think about what you might be facing.

[Ohio Joe]

13. I took the test last month

Aced it but I've not heard from them and when I call they just tell me to wait to be called.

[Brickbat]

14. I was in training all week and went enumerating yesterday. I'll probably do more next week.

The training for enumerator pretty much involves someone reading the manual to you. But the training is thorough and I felt comfortable doing my work yesterday when the time came to actually go out in the field.