The Census is still recruiting on the Westside and is looking for about 200 qualified applicants to make sure that Taft and the Westside get counted this year. In the previous Census the Westside did not receive an accurate count due to lack of participation. The accurate count from the Census determines grants for the city, how roads get built and repaired in our area, how many teachers can be hired for our schools, how many police officers and firefighters are needed for the area, as well as government representatives.
"The Census is extremely important to our community, people don't realize how close we are to getting extra grants for the community and getting the resources we need," said Bud Rice, GIS & Development Services Manager for the City of Taft, "We are just completely uncounted in our population and housing, we need to get the credit for everyone that is here."
If you are interested in working for the Census or looking for work in your community you can apply for the Census at Career Services Center, a short test will be given to you and is offered about 3 times a week for your convenience. If you are nervous about passing the test, Kathy Lehman and Maria Gonzales, recruiting assistants, can help you study to ensure you of passing the test. The Census will employee you for about an 8 week period with flexible hours in which you will receive $15.50 per hour as well as $.50 per mile.
To qualify for employment for the Census you must be 18 years of age or older and provide documents showing that you can legally work in the United States. Upon passing the test a background check is performed that takes about 4 weeks and then you can begin working.
"We know people are looking for work in Taft, and we urge them to apply for the Census, we have such a large area to cover, Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Taft Heights, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and Valley Acres, we need all the help we can get but people are just not applying, we are to the point of begging people and knocking on doors to recruit," said Kathy Lehman, "We also want to stress that working for the Census does not jeopardize your current means of income, meaning if you are on welfare or unemployment you can still work for the Census."
It is also important to inform the community that every single person residing here needs to be counted, and the Census is not looking to deport or report illegal immigrants that may be working or residing here, they just want to get an accurate count for the Westside.
If you would like to test for the Census please contact Career Services Center at 763-0202 or stop by, Career Services Center is located at 119 N. 10th Street. If you would like to participate in the "Complete Count" committee a meeting is being held at City Hall on February 17th, call 763-1222 for more information.