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Thursday, January 20, 2000

U.S. Census Bureau officials in Ohio are stepping up recruitment efforts for census takers in Lawrence County.

"In Chillicothe, we’re doing relatively well," said Cheryl Cox, assistant manager of recruiting for that regional office. "Given the fact that the unemployment rate is low, we have a large number of applicants."

Recruiting efforts have been ongoing in Lawrence County for some time, with varying degrees of success, but recruiting must continue, Mrs. Cox said.

"There are two to three counties we’re focusing on, out of 15 counties," she said. "There is a big push for Gallia County and Lawrence County is one of those, too."

The census, an every-10-year count of people living in the United States, begins this year in April. Mailed census forms should arrive by mid-March for most people, Mrs. Cox said.

Some areas not targeted for mailings need visits by enumerators, or census takers who travel personally to people’s homes to seek the data. Other census jobs could include clerical work.

The census is important because it helps communities plan for future growth and helps governments secure federal funding or grants, Mrs. Cox said.

"Just in answering, it helps communities plan for things like childcare," she said. "All federal funding comes back to communities based on (census) statistics of that community. And, as always, the (census) information is confidential."

That’s why it’s so important for people to fill out the forms, and that the census have enough workers to ensure everyone is counted, Mrs. Cox said.

Those who want to apply for full-time or part-time census jobs may visit the Workforce Development Resource Center in Ironton.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and dependable car, resource center job developer Jane Lane Craddock said.

Pay is $9.50 an hour plus mileage, she said.

Also, the census bureau requires all those interested in applying to take a 30-minute timed test of multiple choice questions designed to evaluate their basic skills, Mrs. Cox said.

The test includes five sections on clerical skills, such as alphabetizing, matching, number series, match skills and evaluations of vocabulary and comprehension, she said.

"The test is designed to measure the ability to interpret information and organizational skills."

Applicants are urged to come 20 minutes before test time and bring two forms of identification, Mrs. Cox said.

The first test session is scheduled for Monday at the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services office at the resource center building, 120 N. Second St., Ironton, Mrs. Craddock said.

Test times will be 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Testing also will be held Jan. 31 at the Jae Roush Community Center in Coal Grove at 10 a.m. and noon, Mrs. Cox said.

Other testing sessions at the OBES office will be Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For more information, contact the resource center, or OBES, at 532-3140 or 867-3493.