It comes once every 10 years and in the current economic climate, the timing couldn’t be better for those looking for work.

The U.S. Census Bureau is starting its hiring process for the 2010 Census.

According to the bureau, the U.S. Constitution requires a population and housing count every 10 years. Census results are the basis for congressional representation as well as the distribution of federal, state and local funds totaling more than $300 billion annually.

Census day is April 1, 2010.

The effort employs some of the most sophisticated technical and operational tools available, as well as a nationwide workforce of 1.3 million temporary employees to count every man, woman and child once and in the right place.  

In preparation for the actual count, more that 40 employees will be hired in office support positions to serve as clerks, administrative assistants and supervisors. These positions are to be filled in late January and early February of 2009.

The remaining positions are in the field, and employees will be working throughout a 19-county area in southwestern Pennsylvania that includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

These positions, which will be the bulk of the 500-600 spots to be filled locally, will be canvassers responsible for verify that addresses on paper actually exist.

“This is an opportunity for Pittsburghers to be part of historic operations in the communities where they live. We rely on the expertise of our employees who know the area at the neighborhood level and will encourage their neighbors to be counted in the 2010 Census,” said Philadelphia Regional Director Fernando E. Armstrong.

The Census Bureau is offering full and part-time positions featuring flexible hours, paid training, mileage reimbursement, as well as the opportunity to work near home. Wages range from $12-$18.75 per hour, and all jobs are temporary.

The Pittsburgh office, located in the William S. Moorhead Federal Building at Grant and Liberty streets, Downtown, is part of the bureau’s Philadelphia region.

(For more information, call 866-861-2010 or visit the Philadelphia Regional Census Center at www.census.gov/rophi/www/employ.html.)