<p>Not expecting many (any?) replies, but was wondering if anyone else here on CC was working on phase one of the census–</p>
<p>I actually took the test and applied. I got two wrong on the test, which I thought was a good result, but never got called.</p>
<p>son took test…got a 100 on it…and was called three weeks ago. They wanted him to start training two weeks ago here locally, but he was still away at college. They said they would keep him on the list. He was very disappointed…the pay rate is unbelievable.</p>
<p>ghostfire-- you should give them a call – I heard someone say that anyone who scored 90 or above got called back. We had training just last week, so maybe it’s not too late.</p>
<p>toneranger-- this would be a fantastic summer job for college kids, since they expect the address verification phase to last about 8 weeks. Am sure your son could breeze through the training, which mostly revolves around the (glitch-filled) hand-held computers. Because of rules and doing everything by the book, though, we had four days of training that could easily have been covered in one or two… </p>
<p>What surprised me were the hours-- despite all the ads saying it’s a great second job, work in your spare time, etc, we are expected (or rather ‘encouraged’) to put in 40 hours per week. Supposedly the most prolific/productive listers will be called back next year for the interview phase. Am not sure that one appeals to me – I don’t like pestering people. At this rate, I don’t think I’ll be hitting the 40/hour/week mark anyway-- probably closer to 30-35. It’s good money, though.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info lspf. I’ll tell my son to call to check status. He would be THRILLED to put in 40 hours at that pay rate. I wonder if NY is busier though than around here (philly suburbs).</p>
<p>What kind of work is it, exactly? Do you have to go door-to door and interview people? That’s what it looked like to me when I researched it earlier this year. I think that would be kind of dangerous, at least in some neighborhoods. And I don’t imagine they let you choose which neighborhood you want to canvass.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t you know…we just had a census guy stop at our door. Says they over-hired for this area and will be done on June 1 (originally scheduled for July 1). So son has no shot. Oh well.</p>
<p>My H is working on it. They didn’t want me. :(</p>
<p>I worked on the 2000 census. I loved it!! I was responsible for following up with citizens who neglected to submit their forms. Some of their excuses were hilarious! I had many many doors slammed in my face. The nicer ones offered me food, wine, even a few dates. The weirdest request came from a father who said he would comply if I would help him with his baby twins’ bathtime! Sadly, we were forbidden from eating, drinking, dating, or bathing babies 
</p>
<p>We were assigned to work in nearby communities. I got to work in my own town and the town adjacent to mine.</p>
<p>I was hoping to work on the 2010 census but by the time the test date in our area rolled around they were no longer looking for workers.</p>
<p>My wife is working on the census right now. We both took the test. She got called first. I got called a couple of days later but I had already scheduled something very important and could not change - they had no flexibility in starting training, so no work for me.</p>
<p>Wife is already finished with phase1, using GPS handheld computer to verify addresses. She is supposed to ring doorbells to let people know she is on their property, but she does not ask any questions. The actual census will be mailed out in 2010. Now she is in the next phase of checking over work previously done by other people. She has been working not too far from home in nice areas. If there is any area she feels uncomfortable about (happened once) she does not go - no problem. Pay is ok, + 55 cents per mile.</p>
<p>My S had a perfect score and did not get called back. Apparently, part of it depends on what area you live in and whether they need people in that area or not. He has a friend who has worked on and off for them and has made some good money.</p>
<p>Preironic–that’s what I thought; I also don’t speak the languages that are most prevalent here in non-English speaking households.</p>
<p>Toneranger, that stinks! Here in NY we’ve just completing our first week. The pressure seems to be on our crew leaders, who are encouraging us to work FAST. I’m finding a LOT of inaccuracies that need updating, for ex: an entire apartment complex missing (that’s been here for about 30 years), missing roads, etc. I think they should use this opportunity (mapping with GPS points for the first time) to get everything as accurate as possible. The funny things is that they want us to work a full 40 hours, but if we go OVER 40 hours, we’re fired.</p>
<p>Everyone has been nice so far, and I haven’t felt in any danger (well, except for one mafia-esque place with a half-mile driveway and KEEP OUT signs all around). My assigned areas have been extremely diverse - from beautiful old multi-million dollar homes to a couple today that had no mailboxes, no addresses, and looked like squatters’ shacks. Getting a normal residential block in town is a real treat!! I AM aware that some people must view us with suspicion – people who are here illegally, people with illegal apartments, etc. This phase is anonymous, but don’t know if they all believe it.</p>
<p>I did this job, but sadly it only lasted about four weeks, including training, instead of eight. Only one of my weeks was 40 hrs, the rest 25-30 hrs. I don’t know is it my leader’s fault not giving out AAs on time and distributing them evenly among the group, but I certainly didn’t make even half the money I expected. Maybe I was working too fast.</p>
<p>I worked on the 1980 census. Boy do I feel old.</p>