Job Rotation Program - New Openings

Below are brief descriptions of new Job Rotations that have been posted. You may view details about the opportunities on the JRP Web site: https://jrp.econ.census.gov/main.php?job_type=JR

Type of Opportunity: Job Rotation (JR)
Position Number: JR-10-2014
Division: ACSD

Position Description: Background:

The Census Bureau is currently in a decennial cycle research and testing phase between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses. Field tests will be conducted and recommendations will be put forward to improve procedures while reducing cost and maintaining or improving quality. The 2020 Census is committed to automating many field activities by incorporating the use of smart phones, tablets, and software applications to conduct respondent interviews, access GPS navigation tools, communicate with field staff, and more. The sub team has been requested to conduct several studies for the 2014 Test. The Time & Motion (T & M) sub-team will focus on collecting data on the daily tasks of the Non Response Follow-Up (NRFU) enumerators to identify new efficiencies in an automated environment.

Conducting data collection in the field is a major cost in a census. In the 2010 Census, the enumerator costs for just NRFU operation alone was $1.1 Billion. The T & M Study will provide new measures and evaluations of tasks performed by the enumerators using new automated tools and procedures. The strategic goals of the 2020 Census include conducting research on census functions that drive costs and time to complete; develop configurations to conduct cost/benefit analysis; use actual data in configurations where available, and identify process or design improvements. Conducting T & M Studies in the 2020 research projects will provide the data and insight needed to meet these goals.

Job Description:
The Time and Motion Sub-Team is involved in conducting numerous T & M studies including but not limited to the NRFU Enumerator Study, NRFU Enumerator training (which includes the first day of training wherein devices are assigned), Enumerator Fingerprinting Study Admin Day, The On-boarding of Applicants Admin Day, Application Packages Keying, and Applicant Folder Keying.
The Time and Motion Sub-Team is seeking current Census Bureau employees that are willing to observe enumerators. An enumerator is a Census Bureau employee who interviews people to obtain information for a census or survey questionnaire. Enumerators also may update address registers and Census Bureau maps. The term also applies to field personnel who perform activities associated with update/leave and urban update/leave. Observers from the Time and Motion study team will observe certain enumerators while they conduct interviews and collect data using their Smartphones. The Smartphone will have a software application that is specifically programmed for the various Time and Motion studies. The purpose of this study is to collect data in order to compare cost and data quality across the three different treatment strategies. Select Census Bureau staff members will act as observers and accompany enumerators to observe and record their daily activities. For example, observers will be collecting information on the amount of time it takes enumerators to complete the various components of their case assignments. The observers mileage will be paid from their current duty station to an assigned location where they will observe the enumerators. The observer’s assistance is invaluable in helping the Census Bureau determine whether these procedures are practical. Please note that this is only a test of the data collection procedures and observer’s input and cooperation is crucial. We want to collaborate with the observer’s in an effort to improve the data collection procedures. For this study, selected observers will be required to complete a questionnaire on their Smartphones at the end of each day that they work.


Skills needed: Responsibilities/Requirements:
• Commit for six week (8/1/14 - 9/22/14);

• Attend Mandatory Training;

• Work Off-Site away from Headquarters Office;

• Travel to Montgomery County and Washington DC;

• Follow and Observe Enumerator(s);

• Work outside in the elements;

• Work On Saturdays;

• Work 8 hour days and document activities at the end of each day;

• Be responsible for assigned Samsung Galaxy S4 Phone;

• Ability to Observe and Document Activities;

• Ability to complete daily reports at the end of each work day;

• Ability to submit observations and report electronically.

• Proficient Writing Abilities;

• Proficient Observation Skills;

• Able to read manuals.






The deadline for submitting an application for this posting is 05/01/2014