The U.S. Census is searching for census takers, crew leaders and leader assistants in the Upper Susitna Valley. Roy Wahl is the recruiting assistant for the Mat Su Borough area, is currently looking for people interested in helping with the census.

He says census takers generally work in their own neighborhoods or communities and work varied hours and Wahl says that it can be a full time job at times. He says workers make approximately 20 dollars an hour, plus they get paid mileage for travel.

Census workers need to pass a test before they are hired. Wahl is busy setting testing locations in Talkeetna and Trapper Creek.

Wahl’s goal is to set up tests through December and people hired in January.

He says a lot of people are needed for the area and is encouraging anyone interested in a job to apply, especially those that are pilots and those that have snowmachines.

According to the census website, this particular census will be one of the shortest and simplest in US history, asking just 10 basic questions. It doesn’t ask any information on salary or income, social security information or citizenship. The census information is mailed to homes and if the forms are mailed back, the census bureau says no one comes knocking at the door if it is filled out completely.

People interested in working in the area can call a toll free number 1-866-861-2010. There is information online at www.2010censusjobs.gov The first of several census taker tests is at the Talkeetna Elementary school on Thursday at 4 pm and Trapper Creek Community Center at 7 pm. People are encouraged to call the toll free number to sign up before the test