The good news for Polk job seekers is that the upcoming 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary, part-time jobs across the United States.

Every ten years, the U.S. government is required to count every man, woman, and child in the country. The 2010 Census is a massive undertaking that requires the work of more than one million individuals. This means that hundreds of thousands of temporary, part-time census taker jobs will be created across the U.S. to assist with the 2010 Census. This should come as great news to job hunters who are looking for ways to pull in a paycheck, even if from part-time and temporary job.

“Many families are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. The jobs that are being created to assist with the 2010 Census could not come at a better time,” said Fred T. Elsberry, Jr., President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “A part-time job with the Census can help pay bills while still leaving the job hunter time to look for permanent employment.”

Job hunters can apply for jobs with the Census Bureau now, however, most hiring will take place during the spring of 2010. Census takers usually work in their own communities, going door-to-door, conducting brief interviews with households that did not return their questionnaire. Census takers work approximately 20 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the evenings and on weekends and are paid weekly.

An applicant’s chances of getting a job with the Census depend on many factors, such as the availability of work in his or her community, test score results, number of hours he or she is available for census work and veterans' preference. Also being able to speak a second language - even a rare language - fluently is a sought-after trait. Applicants will need to be flexible as census work is usually conducted on weekends and during evening hours, when most people are at home to complete their census questionnaire.

The U.S. Census Bureau recommend that interested individuals take the following steps to apply for a job with the 2010 Census:

Review the Census Bureau’s Jobs Web site – www.2010censusjobs.gov - to see if you may qualify.

Call 1-866-861-2010 to learn about available jobs. While you can’t necessarily study to take the test, you can see a sample test online to practice and prepare for the types of questions asked.

Fill out the appropriate application and take it with you on the day of your testing. You’ll also want to bring your I-9 Form and proper identification when you take the test.

Follow up on your test results and the status of your application.

For more information on the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov.