U.S. Census Bureau To Hire 16,000 Mass. Workers

By Curt Nickisch
Nov 23, 2009, 5:16 AM
1 Comments

BOSTON — Amid the recession and widespread layoffs, one place is currently hiring up to 16,000 employees in Massachusetts: The federal government.

The next census takes place on April 1 next year. With two offices in Boston and others spread around the state, the U.S Census Bureau has already started hiring.

Deputy Regional Director Bruce Kaminski said it’s a great opportunity for people out of work. “They may now pick up a skill set that could maybe land them a job in private industry,” he said.

The temporary jobs last for two months and often longer. Those available range from field work to information technology to office supervision.

Kaminski said the Census Bureau is seeing more highly qualified applicants than during the 2000 counting, which took place during the Internet boom with low unemployment rates.

Last month the agency hired 1,000 people. That more than made up for job losses on the state and local government levels.

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Coleen Magrath

I just read this short article about the census hiring and I am a bit frustrated. I took the census test in January of this year, I got a very high score (I was told. In fact, I was told by a few census workers that I shouldn’t have any problem getting a job with the census and that I should be hearing something soon.) A number of hiring deadlines have past by and I haven’t heard anything; even after trying (alot) to find someone to tell me what was going on.
I have 20 years worth of experience on the technical side of the computer industry as well as project management experience. I have a lot to offer. I would love to work on the census. Do you think I will hear from anyone? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Coleen Magrath