More jobs are coming to Arkansas and this time it offers opportunities for people in every county across the state. The Census Bureau is looking to hire about a 1000 people to help conduct the 2010 census count.
While these are temporary jobs they offer good pay and a chance to build good job skills.
It's time for the 2010 census and making sure everyone gets counted is a huge undertaking one that demands a large workforce.
"We really are looking to hire people in every community throughout the state of Arkansas, I mean every single community,” says Sydnee Chattin-Reynolds.
The US Census Bureau wants to hire about 1000 workers at pay ranging from about $23,000 to a little over $65,000 depending on the position. State and local leaders say with companies laying people off and some even shutting down this could not have come at a better time. Testing for the positions is going on right now.
"This is an opportunity for those who are retired, looking to work an additional job, who've currently gotten laid off," says Chattin-Reynolds.
Census jobs are temporary, lasting 18 months but those with the Census Bureau say the job skills you learn and the impact on the community is permanent. The job these census takers will be doing in these neighborhoods is very important because getting an accurate count determines how much federal and local dollars states and cities get. "It ties into all sorts of things in terms of education, housing, workforce development, job retraining all sorts of elements that come from the federal government," says Mayor Mark Stodola.
Citizens of the state can do their part to help by cooperating when census workers come counting. They'll work up to 40 hours a week. To apply for a job call the recruiting office at
1-866-861-2010 or visit census.gov.
