Search on for local census heads

RECRUITMENT has begun for Ballarat based managers who’ll oversee the on the ground workforce during this year’s national population count.

Known as census field managers, there’s currently 679 roles in Victoria, with six positions on offer in the Ballarat region and a further five in Golden Plains.

As part of the recruitment the Australian Bureau of Statistics is seeking local people with strong knowledge of the region in which they’ll be working.

“Field managers play a key role in supporting and motivating their team and resolving problems that arise on the job,” said census executive director Andrew Henderson.

“The field manager is the eyes and ears of the census on the ground, and in the community. They provide invaluable local intelligence to the office-based census operations team.”

Tasks undertaken by field managers are varied and include interacting with the public, coordinating with intuitions where people may be found on census night, and helping run teams of up to 12 field officers.

“They help members of the public who need special support to complete the census,” Mr Henderson said.

“This includes conducting assisted interviews with people who request help or working through difficult questions from people trying to complete their census.

“Field Managers will engage with non-private dwellings in their area, such as hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes to help residents in these settings to complete their census form.”

Recruitment for the field manager roles is being conducted by Adecco Australia and applications are being accepted via censusjobs.adecco.com.au.

Experience in working with and leading small teams is required, as is a computer and mobile device with good internet, a driver’s licence and access to a registered and insured car, and a place to lock up census material at your home.

Pay for the job is set at $36.90 per hour (inclusive of 25 per cent loading), plus superannuation.

“If you have experience training and supervising small teams and you’re keen to tell your community’s story, view the applicant information kit and apply now,” Mr Henderson said.

Applications for 81 Ballarat and Golden Plains region field officer positions will open in April and the 2021 national census will be held on Tuesday, 10 August.