The United States Census Bureau is now hiring!

A bureau representative will be at the Lincoln County Library Thursday, December 11, at 10 a.m. to take applications and administer testing.

To conduct the 2010 Census, the bureau anticipates hiring hundreds of thousands of census takers over the next two years.

Currently, the agency is recruiting for the address canvassing operation. Although hiring begins in April of 2009, right now is the time to apply because early applicants have a better chance of being hired.

Why apply for a census job?

.. Census jobs pay well, with workers paid on a weekly basis.

.. The work schedule is flexible. As a census taker with the address canvassing operation, individuals work up to 40 hours per week for several weeks, largely on a flexible schedule. Although the work must be done during daylight hours, most people find it very manageable.

.. The work is near home.

.. Being a census taker is a great second job.

.. Census jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, people who want to work part time, those who are between jobs, etc.

To qualify as a census taker, the individual must:

.. Be a United States citizen.

.. Be a legal, permanent resident or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa and bilingual skills, which no qualified citizens possess.

.. Be at least 18 years old.

.. Have a valid Social Security number.

.. Take a written test of basic skills. There are five parts to the test: clerical skills, reading, numerical skills, interpreting information and evaluating alternatives, and organizational skills.

.. Pass a background check.

.. Have a valid driver's license (for field jobs only).

.. Be able to commit up to four days to training, with pay.

Although most census positions in 2009 will become available in April or May, there are other positions that may be available right now.

For more information, call 1-866- 861-2010 toll free or visit the census bureau website at www.2010 censusjobs.gov.

The decennial census (every 10 years) is an important source of information, used to determine representation in government and to help direct funding for public programs targeting education, healthcare, transportation, housing, and so forth.