More coastal info on Census jobs

From the Sun Herald...

Need a job? The U.S. Census Bureau might be able to help.

Census officials said Monday they plan to hire 2,000 part-time and full-time workers in South Mississippi.

“For the groundwork that will need to be done, this is the number we are focusing on,” said Kat A. Smith, media specialist with the bureau’s Dallas Regional Census Center.

Potential employees need not go to the Census Bureau office, which opening today in Gulfport.

Instead, those interested in a job should call 1-866-861-2010 to start the application process.

“The only way to get into the system is to call and get scheduled for the test,” she said. “The process is simple. Call the number and get on the list and take the test when scheduled.”

Testing will be arranged as lists of people to be tested are compiled, she said.

The Census Bureau plans to hire 1.4 million nationwide. “This region will seek to hire 111,000 individuals at peak,” Smith said. The Dallas region covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

South Mississippi census takers, called enumerators, will earn the highest pay in the state, $14.50 an hour.

Enumerators in Southhaven, Tupelo and Meridian will start at $10.50 per hour and in Jackson pay starts at $12.25 per hour, according to the Census Bureau’s Web site, www.2010census.gov.

Rates vary across the nation and many factors are considered in determining the base pay, Smith said.

Workers in nearby New Orleans will start at $17.50 per hour, according to the Web site.

The majority of workers will be hired to hand-deliver Census questionnaires to ensure an accurate 2010 count so the $400 billion in federal money available will be fairly distributed.

A sample test is available on the Web site, Smith said.

The Gulfport office at 14055 Seaway Blvd. will handle payroll and operations for all employees in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, George, Stone and Pearl River counties, Smith said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m.