There has been no information added to this blog in awhile because I have been engrossed in coming up to speed in a new job. It's somewhat of a long story, so here it is.
A Coincidental Happening
I happened to be in the Gallery (Gold Country Artists Gallery) working one day in August when a lady came in handing out fliers for a job as a Recruiting Assistant for the 2010 Census. I spread the word around to folks who I thought might be interested and decided to call and arrange to fill out the application and take the test myself.
Taking the Test
I was scheduled to take the test on 9/18 and did. I filled out the application and took the test (25 questions in 30 minutes). The test was not actually easy. It's designed to test your clerical skills, reading, number skills, organizational skills and how you interpret information and evaluate alternatives. I took it and did well enough and thought that maybe they might call me.
The Offer and the Taking
The offer came over the phone on November 5. If I wanted a job as Recruiting Assistant for the 2010 Census for the Placerville area, the job was mine for the taking. So, I accepted!
A Digression
I have been working for the Post Office for about a year and a half (see a previous post about that). But what I have found is that the job is too sporadic and so very hard on my knees that I don't think I could last much longer at it anyway. And, I won't miss working at the Post Office during the Holiday season! My last days at the Post Office will be the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The Training
I was scheduled for training for the Recruiting Assistant job for three days during the week of November 10 (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday of that week) in Citrus Heights (a suburb of Sacramento). The job pays at an hourly rate and pays for mileage, so I got paid for the trips to and from the training. I got to know the 7 other people in the class and, of course, my new boss (who was giving the training). By the end of the three days, we were all ready to "hit the ground running".
What the Job is All About
At this stage, you might be wondering what this new job I have is all about. (Even if you're not, I'll tell you anyway!) Recruiting Assistants
- promote census jobs
- find applicants for census jobs
- work in communities with local organizations that agree to help find people to work for the census
- locate, set up, and run test sessions for job applicants (census takers, crew leaders, crew leader assistants)
- attempt to get donated space for testing and training
- work with the Local Census Office (mine is in Stockton, CA)
My First Week
This first week has been one of trying to get organized, going around to different local locations to try and find facilities that we can use for testing, and getting the word out to local people that I know about the potential for good-paying part-time jobs. I've lined up a few testing sites and am getting use to the new job.
My Con*Census*
I like working on my own and trying to figure out the best way to do things, so I think I will like this part-time job fine. I will be assisting in some testing in early December in preparation for running my own testing in this area. There's a lot to learn and, as with anytime that you work for someone (anyone, including the U.S. Census Bureau), lots of red tape and procedures to learn about and attempt to do correctly.
People have been very receptive to requests and, with our economy the way it is right now, people are interested in the potential for good-paying part-time work. I have also talked with several people who have participated in the 2000 Census and they really enjoyed the work. I'm hopeful that as I get into the job, I will too. So far, I like it—but I've got a lot to learn.
Where From Here
The Census 2010 is coming. The official date of it is April 1, 2010, about one and a half years away from right now. The government is getting geared up for it (it's been done every 10 years since 1790 and when you know how important it is, it feels like you are doing something good. Much gets determined by the census results and it feels good to be a part of it.
If you want to find out more for yourself about the census or potential temporary census jobs in your area, you can call 1-866-861-2010 or go to the official Census 2010 website.
I'll keep you posted every now and then about my own progress and experience with this job. Meanwhile, stay sane out there and hope you are OK in your own economic world!
Posts
