Following the slashing of benefits, increased taxes and cutbacks in budget 2011 this week, at least it’s not all bad news on the homefront as hundreds of job-seekers in Mayo are now being advised they can look forward to 10 week contracts for wages of €2,200 in March 2011 when enumerators are recruited for the next census taking place on Sunday April 10, 2011.
The recruitment website for the census has just gone live this week and job applicants are now invited to pre-register to become a census enumerator on www.census.ie A total of 5,000 temporary jobs are to be created around the country as the census gets under way to record exactly how many people are now living where, how, and why in Ireland. Every household in the country is obliged by law to complete and return a census form.
When the job applications process goes live on Monday January 4, 2011, those who have pre-registered are to be sent a reminder text or email that the application process is open. The final date for applications is January 11, 2011. However the applications process will close prior to this date if the number of applications reaches 15,000.
Successful applicants will be offered fixed purpose contracts of approximately 10 weeks commencing on March 8, 2011 until May 13, 2011. Enumerators can expect to receive payment of €2,200, on average, for their work during this period.
Applicants are advised they must be prepared to devote approximately 22 hours per week to census duties but can arrange their own working hours. However because of the necessity to make personal contact with all householders, enumerators will typically need to work five to six evenings every week and at least one day every weekend. Those living in a rural area must have a full driving licence and the full-time use of a car and also have secure storage for census documents.
“The website has all the information people need to find out more about the role of a census enumerator,” said Deirdre Cullen from the CSO. “Enumerators are a vitally important part of the census process and most find it a very rewarding experience. Given the extensive contact that they have with the public, it is important that enumerators have patience, tact, and consideration. They must also be able to read maps and understand detailed instructions. It can be helpful if they have some survey, market research, or practical social work experience, but this is not essential.”
To find out exactly what the role of an enumerator involves and to watch video clips of enumerators from the last Census in 2006, sharing their experiences of the job, log on to www.census.ie
