The role of a field representative is an exciting and rewarding job, if you enjoy meeting people and appreciate the diversity and independence of interviewing. However, the job is not always easy. As a field representative, your job is to interview households or persons at addresses scientifically selected in advance. Some people selected for the survey sample may not wish to participate and it is the job of the field representative to help them to understand the importance of their participation. The Census Bureau employs thousands of field representatives in selected areas throughout the United States to collect social and economic data needed by the federal government, American business and industry, and public and private interest groups. We hope you watched our video about the Field Representative position.

Although field representatives do part of their work from their home, such as make phone calls to set up appointments and route planning, the majority of their work is conducting interviews at respondents' homes.

Field representatives are hourly employees, and the pay rate is set based on Office of Personnel Management (OPM) locality pay tables. Please see the job announcement for more specific details. Each payroll is a 2-week period and payment is issued biweekly.

Field representatives are reimbursed for authorized work expenses, such as mileage and tolls, and are paid expense allowances for authorized overnight travel.

While many are familiar with the decennial census that is conducted every 10 years, each year the Census Bureau conducts more than 130 surveys, collecting social and economic data needed by governments and businesses and employing thousands of Field Representatives nationwide.

Our work is conducted throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico. Field representatives work in the areas near where they live. To collect data, you may need to travel to areas you are less familiar with and, in more rural areas, you may be required to drive long distances.

Field representatives work part-time and there is flexibility in their schedule, however, you are expected to work the hours needed to complete your caseload in the most efficient way. Generally, this involves working evening and weekend hours when people are usually home and available for interview.

The number of hours you work each week may vary from 4 to 30 or more depending on the workload in an assignment area. The irregular hours mean that it is difficult to hold a full-time job or to carry a heavy class load as a student in addition to Census Bureau work.

Civil service and postal service retirees must have their salaries reduced by the amount of their annuities and may not find it financially beneficial to work as a field representative.

An individual may have more than one federal appointment, but may receive pay from more than one civilian job only when: the jobs total no more than 40 hours of work a week, Sunday to Saturday (excluding overtime). The irregular week to week hours of the field representative position make it difficult some weeks to stay within the 40 hour limit.

Protecting the health and safety of our employees and the public is the top priority for the Census Bureau. Our work continues regardless of what the weather conditions are at the time. Because field representatives know the area where their work will be and are aware of local weather forecasts, planning and communication is key to completing the assignment on time. Stay in touch with your supervisor for guidance in that situation.

Field representatives should be comfortable using a laptop and e-mail. When working, Field representatives will receive their weekly workload and collect survey data via a Census Bureau issued laptop computer. The laptop is carried by the field representative while they are working.

Two forms are required to be completed to become a prequalified member of our field representative pool. You can view examples of the two forms by clicking the links below. Most people complete the two forms in about 20 minutes.

There is also a 33-question multiple-choice assessment that asks you to describe your education, work, and other experiences that relate to successful job performance as a field representative. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the 33 questions.

If you do not provide the information as required, your application will not be considered.

The assessment questions are similar to the following:

EXAMPLE 1:

My previous supervisors (or teachers, if not previously employed) would likely describe my self-discipline as:

    a. Superior.
    b. Above average.
    c. Average.
    d. Below average.
    e. Do not know.

EXAMPLE 2:

I dislike being the center of attention.

    a. Mostly true.
    b. Mostly false.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a background investigation.

Fingerprints are required as part of the background investigation and are a condition of employment.

Applicants that qualify for the applicant pool remain in the pool for up to 2 years or until they are hired for a job, whichever comes first.

Each of our regional offices has a recruiting team ready to help you. Please reach out to them via the following e-mail addresses to update your contact information.

The Census Bureau invests a lot of time and money in training field representatives. Initial training usually consists of both self-study and classroom training, which may take from 2 to 5 days, depending on the survey. A supervisor accompanies the new field representative on the first assignment in the field. Later training includes home study, observations, and group training sessions. Trainees are paid for time spent in training.

Most surveys include an initial classroom training that generally requires travel. Trainees are paid for approved travel time and expenses to attend training.