Field Operations Presentation

Presented to the Maricopa Association of Governments – October 7, 2004

Presented By: Dennis R. Johnson

Mark K. Hellfritz

Vicki A. McIntire

Jay M. Occhiogrosso

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Presentation Will Focus On…

A) Major operations:

- Recruiting- Listing- Group quarters- Non-Response Follow-Up (NRFU)

B) Timing of Operations

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Additional Topics…

A) Types of jobs available

B) Pay scales and benefits

C) Expected hours of work

D) Office space and logistics

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Finally…

A) Talk about publicity, marketing, andpartnerships

B) Tie everything together by explaining your role

C) Segue into discussion on marketing

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Getting Started

Local Census Office opens January 2005

On-site Manager reports for duty

Office furniture/computers, etc. arrives

Manager hires initial office staff

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The Recruiting Process

Manager hires 6 –10 office clerks for phone bank- from list provided by local governments

Manager hires 6-10 Crew Leaders to conduct testing sessions

- from list provided by local governments Ads placed in papers for listers in February/March Phone bank takes calls from potential employees

and schedules testing dates and sites Manager trains crew leaders to conduct testing

sessions

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The Testing Process Need to test 3000 people

Person must have qualifying score to be considered (70%+)

½ hour test – 35 questions- math- map reading- following instructions

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The Testing Process

Complete application paperwork

Short interview to be conducted with

those that have qualifying test score

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The Testing Process

Federal Government Veteran’s Preference rules will apply

Background checks will be performed on all individuals chosen

Selections made by local office following standard federal selection procedures

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Types of Jobs, Pay Scales

Local Census Office Clerks - $ 11.43

Listers/Enumerators - $ 11.43

Crew Leaders - $ 12.79

No Benefits!

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Training

Performed by crew leaders 3 day training

1st trainings will be in April 2005 for listing operations

Will train up to 20 people at one time Will continue testing throughout listing

period

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Listing Operations

What is Listing?

Systematic canvassing of a census block

Recording address or physical location description of each housing unit (HU)

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Listing Operations

How is Listing Done?

Listers will have a list of addresses from the 2000 Decennial Census and any updates since 2000

Listers will go door to door to verify, add, delete or make corrections to this list

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Listing Operations

Listing will begin in mid-May and end July 30th

Will hire 300 - 400 listers

Will list 13,000+ census blocks

Hu’s

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Listing Operations

Each lister will be given an assignment of approximately 150 HU’s at one time

Each assignment should take one week to complete

As lister completes assignment, we will assign more work

When all blocks are completed for a jurisdiction, listings are sent for processing and sampling

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Group Quarters (GQ’s) Operations

Verify GQ’s in July 2005 via telephone

from matched lists (March 4 and July 8)

- service provider organizations

- from locally provided lists

- and from Census Bureau Records

Pre-visit to outdoor locations in August

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Group Quarters (GQ’s) Operations

Expect 150 listers to become GQ/outdoor location enumerators

Will need to recruit and hire and additional 150 enumerators

Will continue recruiting in July

- same procedures as other recruiting Will train in late August 2005 Conduct outdoor locations and GQ

operations in mid-September

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Non-Response Follow-Up (NRFU)

Expect 150 enumerators from GQ operations to work NRFU

Need to recruit/train additional 200+

Continue recruiting in August and train from mid September through November 2005

Start NRFU operations mid-September and complete December 15

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NRFU Operations Specifics

Expecting 50% mail return and 25% via phone from telephone Center

25% of workload, approximately 25,000 – 30,000 HU’s, via field operation

Higher mail return rates = less field operations = cost savings

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NRFU Specifics

Enumerator makes personal visit to HU and conducts interview

Quality check on work is completed in office after review by crew leader in field

Enumerators will make at least six personal visits and/or telephone calls

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Timeline

Task Description Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecOpen Main OfficeVisit MAG to Finalize Group Quarters DetailsRecruit, Test, Hire, Train StaffAddress Listing OperationsPrint QuestionnairesFinalize Address List Verify GQ Locations Via Phone BankVisit Outdoor LocationsMail Out QuestionnaireCensus Reference DateMail Questionnaire Second Time to Non-respondentsConduct Group Quarters and Homeless CountCATI Center Follow-Up CallsNon-Response Follow-up

2005

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How Can You Help?

Recruitment:– Donate Rooms for testing sites

• Accommodate up to 25 people• Handicapped accessible• Available from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.• Tables and Chairs• Census Bureau will work out exact schedule

with local government

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How Can You Help (cont.)

Recruitment:– Provide list of names of people interested in

Census jobs– Publicize jobs and refer candidates to Census

Bureau staff

Training Space:– We will be training in the spring and fall for major

operations and will need training rooms

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How Can You Help (cont.)

Crew Leader Meeting Areas:– Crew Leaders will meet with enumerators

daily during major operations– Will need desk/table, chairs, phone if

possible– Duration:

– May through July– October through December

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How Can You Help (cont.)

Furniture and Equipment for Central Office– Desks and Chairs– Office Supplies– Will be coordinated through MAG

Publicity and Marketing Support

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Success Through Partnerships

Establish partnerships with community groups

and organizationsprepare press releases for their newsletters and

newspapers educate groups on importance of surveyProvide materials (posters, brochures, etc) so

they can talk with constituents and prepare them for September 1