PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Census Bureau's Providence and Warwick bureaus are recruiting Rhode Islanders to work part time between now and June 2010 to help perform the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, and paid training. Census takers work directly in their own communities. Administrative jobs start at $11.25 an hour, and field jobs pay $15 per hour.

"Census jobs offer flexible hours and the opportunity for people to earn extra money while serving their community and the nation," said Reed. "I encourage interested Rhode Islanders to apply for these positions, which play an important role in our state, our government, and in ensuring that everyone is counted."

In the spring of 2010, as many as 3,000 part-time Census workers will be needed throughout the state. Individuals hired for the current round of jobs will automatically be eligible to be called back for subsequent work.

There are a variety of openings, the majority of which are for workers responsible for going door-to-door to gather information from people who failed to answer U.S. Census surveys mailed to their homes.

Applicants are required to take a basic skills test and undergo a background check. All census takers must be able to speak English, but people who have bilingual skills are needed in communities where a large number of residents may also speak other languages.

Every 10 years, the Census Bureau takes a snapshot of our population, determining how many people reside within the nation's borders, who they are, and where they live. The results help determine representation in the federal government, as well as how federal funds are spent in local communities on critical projects and issues like roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety.

To find which of the two Rhode Island locations (Providence or Warwick) individuals are eligible for, visit: www.2010censusjobs.gov or call: (866) 861-2010.