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CENSUS UPDATE!
U.S. Census Provides Much-Needed Jobs
for American Indians, Students
Effort to reach full 2010 count could temporarily boost economy
January 19, 2010 (Los Angeles) Indian gaming revenue may be down and unemployment may be up, but thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau, many California Indians and recent college graduates like Census Partnership Assistant Tommy Devers will find temporary employment opportunities on or near Indian reservations.
"Prior to becoming a Partnership Assistant
I had no idea what my job would require of me. I only knew that the Census people go house-to-house and knock on doors," said Devers, a member of the Pauma Band of Luiseρo Indians who moved off the tribe's reservation in Pauma Valley, Calif., to attend California State University, San Marcos. "I was surprised to learn that my job would involve so much interaction with the people and the opportunity to speak with tribal councils."
Devers, who now holds a bachelor's degree in communications, will be helping increase census awareness among the Pauma, Pala and Pechanga tribes. He is counting on the experience, which involves planning events, setting up meetings and extensively using professional speaking skills, to improve his chances of finding future employment and further advancing within his own tribal community.
"We hope that job opportunities with the Census Bureau will both temporarily boost the economy and inspire people to continue working, providing for their families and preparing for the future while helping us achieve a full and accurate count," said U.S. Census Bureau Los Angeles Regional Director James Christy. (The Los Angeles Region of the census comprises counties and tribal lands from San Diego to Monterey.)
As of the 2000 census, southern California was reportedly home to more than 300,000 American Indians and the largest urbanized American Indian/Alaska Native population in the country. American Indians continue to be a fast-growing minority group in the region, many of whom contribute to the local economy through non-reservation-based spending and employment.
In southern California, a massive effort is under way to hire culturally sensitive individuals to work on and off tribal reservations, within the urban Indian community and within their own communities. The Bureau estimates that 100 to 200 temporary positions will be put on the map to serve American Indian communities in California.
Census workers of all levels will not only have access to competitive weekly pay and flexible hours but also have a chance to be part of a historic opportunity to secure aid for their communities, their families and their elders in minutes -- no money or letter to their congressman required.
Census jobs start at an average of $17 an hour and are expected to last through June. Prospective workers will be required to take a test and agree to a background check in order to be employed by the federal government. Testing in California will continue for select locations through mid-February. A list of tentative testing dates around the region can be found below. To confirm testing dates (recommended) and find out more about job requirements and applications, call your local census office (find one in your area at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/) or the census hotline number, 1-866-861-2010.
About the 2010 Census
The purpose of the census is to count everyone in the United States, including people of all ages, races and ethnic groups. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to help determine representation at all levels of government, from the House of Representatives down the line, as well as essential community services for areas across the country.
Media Contact
Joely Proudfit
U.S. Census Consultant/Naqmayam Communications
Tel: (650) 255-2860
Email: jproudfit@naqcom.com
SPECIAL BRIEF: WEEKLY CENSUS TEST DATES ADDED
IN ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES
Day Time Location (90026)
Mondays 10:30 a.m. Echo Park Library, 1410 West Temple St.
Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Ave.
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Echo Park Library
Thursdays 12:30 p.m. Echo Park Library
Fridays 2 p.m. Edendale Library, 2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
Saturdays 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. Temple Villa, 1421 West Temple St.
Please call a nearby Los Angeles census office (Central Wilshire: 213-341-1900;
East 3rd Street, 213-806-9570) or the census hotline (1-866-861-2010) to confirm the above dates and/or find a location that is more convenient. Test takers should bring two forms of identification and allot three hours for the testing process. (Note: The amount of test time varies depending on the amount of people taking the test.)
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