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March 10, 2010

2010 Census has started; employees needed

Sherry Koonce The Port Arthur News

PORT ARTHUR —

Southeast Texans should be finding an important piece of mail in their box this month — one that has the power to bring federal money to cities and even shape the political landscape.

The 2010 U.S. Census has started, and everyone needs to be counted.

This year the census is shorter and easier than ever, said Billy Pruett, partnership specialist with the Dallas Regional Census Center.

“It impacts every person living in the U.S. That means we must count everybody,” Pruett said.

Streamlined questionnaires are going out this month and most houses should have them by mid-month. Included in the short survey is a self-addressed stamped envelope to make mail-back as easy as possible.

In addition, census workers will be going door-to-door to canvass neighborhoods and get all residents counted.

To aid with the process, the bureau is planning to hire a combination of full and part-time employees to conduct the 2010 Census. A mass testing event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Texas Workforce Commission, 1308 Ninth Ave. for those interested in employment.

At that time, potential employees will be able to take an employment test and complete the application process for the temporary jobs.

Anyone interested should contact the Nederland Census office at 409-853-3300 to schedule testing.

Jobs range from part-time to full-time and pay from $8 to $24 plus mileage.

The test consists of 10 questions. Those making the highest scores will be considered first.

All applicants will be subject to background checks.

To qualify, one must be 18, possess a valid drivers license, and be able to legally work in the U.S. though citizenship is not required.

Mileage will be reimbursed at 55 cents per mile.

This year’s U.S. Census is more important than ever to Gulf Coast communities such as those in Southeast Texas who are still reeling from three hurricanes this past decade, Eduardo Guity, media representative from the U.S. Census Houston office said Tuesday during the Port Arthur City Council meeting.

“After April 15 if we do not have your forms in the mail, we guarantee someone will knock on your door,” Guity said.

With more than $400 billion in federal dollars to be disbursed based on head count, it is vital for local residents to participate in the census, he said. 

All U.S. residents must be counted — people of all races and ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.

In addition to getting one’s fair share of federal dollars, the census numbers are used to determine how many U.S. representatives each state has.

District lines are drawn depending on population. If an area’s population changes, the district they are in could change.

“From WIC programs to drug prevention, economic development funds to block grants, the only way to parcel out the money fairly is by head count,” Pruett said. “So, if your city is undercounted, you lose money in federal funds.”

skoonce@panews.com

 

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