The United States Census Bureau is slated to hire approximately 1,000 temporary jobs for its five Ohio offices: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Canton. In a weakening job market – Ohio’s unemployment rate is hovering above 7% – the timing couldn’t be better. With pay ranging between $8 - $19 per hour, the positions could be a perfect resume builder for entry level job seekers.

The Census Bureau, a government agency that is responsible for the official enumeration of the population, gathers all types of national demographic and economic data. According to the US Constitution, the population must be precisely counted at least once every ten years. The results are used to set the number of members from each state in the House of Representatives. Too, Census data directly affects the ways in which federal and state funding is allocated. In general, the Census Bureau collects statistics about the nation, its people and economy. Between censuses, the Bureau makes population estimates and projections.

Ohio’s regional center is based in the Detroit, Michigan office, which is responsible for field data collection across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and certain counties in Kentucky and Indiana. Available positions range from office operations supervisor, administrative assistant, media specialist, crew leader, and enumerator. With job postings closing in December, the Ohio offices are expected to be fully staffed by January 2009.