Every ten years since 1790, the United States counts
everyone living in the country. The
Ho-Chunk Nation does not share enrollment numbers, making it essential for all
Ho-Chunk members to participate in the 2020 Census. The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking to hire
Census Takers, and the Ho-Chunk Nation communities may need assistance in
completing the questionnaire.
Census results help inform how billions of dollars in
federal funds are distributed for hospitals, schools, roads, programs, grants, emergency
services, and a variety of ways that benefit Ho-Chunk people. The 2020 Census is an opportunity to provide
a better future for our Ho-Chunk communities and future generations. To accomplish that, we need to help deliver an
accurate count.
The Census Bureau is hiring for several different positions,
but the most significant number of openings are for temporary, part-time Census
Takers. Census Takers interview household
residents and update address lists.
Candidates who are hired attend paid training before beginning work.
Applicants must be at least 18 years or older, have a valid
Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen, have a valid email address, be
registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption,
and undergo fingerprinting and pass a criminal background check. Candidates must also be able to speak, read,
and write in English and commit to completing training. Most jobs require job applicants to have a
valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and access to a computer with
internet to complete training.
The Census Bureau performs background checks and reviews
criminal records. Candidates are
required to be fingerprinted, and the Census Bureau will submit an electronic
image of the fingerprints to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services
Division, where they search their database to see if the prints are associated
with a criminal record. The Census
Bureau takes public trust seriously.
Veterans’ preference may be available for those who served
in the U.S. armed forces and were separated under honorable conditions. A copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release
or Discharge for Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation is required
when claiming veterans’ preference.
Interested candidates must complete an online job
application. The applications consists
of assessment questions about your education, work, and other experience.
The majority of job offers will be made between January and
April. Paid training will be conducted
between March and mid-May. Then from May
through July, Census Takers collect responses from households.
Before the census, Census Takers use maps and address lists
to determine if the addresses are correct.
Next, they visit households that haven’t responded to the census and
speak with residents while using electronic devices issued by the Census Bureau
to collect census data.
Census Takers also work to take in-person counts of people
without a permanent residence. Those
without a permanent residence can include people living in group housing, like
college dormitories or shelters, as well as those experiencing homelessness.
Most positions are anticipated to last several weeks, and
the schedule is flexible. Field
positions require interviewing members of the public, so employees must be
available to work when people are home, such as evenings and weekends.
The Census Bureau offers competitive wages, which are paid
weekly. Work-related mileage and
expenses may also be available for those completing fieldwork. Pay rates in Wisconsin range from $17.00 -
$22.00 per hour and are based on location.
The Ho-Chunk Nation is organizing Census Day activities in the
different Ho-Chunk communities and coordinates with Census Takers to be on hand
to assist with questions and collect census data. Census Day is April 1.
A complete listing of Census Day activities hosted by the
Ho-Chunk Nation will be published at a later date. Any person who needs assistance with completing
the Census questionnaire is encouraged to attend.
Those planning on applying for a Census Taker position and
are interested in assisting the Ho-Chunk communities are encouraged to contact
Michael Rave in the Planning & Development Division at 715-284-3939 or
800-294-9343.