POLSON — The U.S. Census Bureau is beginning to hire for the 2010 census. The bureau is looking to hire 230 people from Lake County to help gather accurate demographic figures.

Etta Moore, bureau recruiting assistant and area resident, runs the applicant employment test sessions within Lake County and said the job opportunity is beneficial to the community in several ways.

“I think this is great for our economy,” she said. “I appreciate being able to help our local community.”

An accurate census helps allot seats in the House of Representatives, distribute federal, state, local and tribal funds and evaluate the success of community programs - among other things, according to a bureau flier.

“We’re working at getting a good count to get one House member back,” Moore said, adding that house seats and various federal funding are based on population.

“We need an accurate count and to maintain confidentiality,” Moore said of those the bureau is recruiting.

The state will test 11,000 Montanans, to end up with a total 6,500 employees.

Applicants who pass the 28-question, 30-minute test, will be filling one of five positions. The positions typically last anywhere from 5-10 weeks per assignment. The bureau pays $11 per hour, offers 58.5 cents mileage reimbursements and paid training.

“Law enforcement, tax collectors or elected officials are not allowed to be employed by the census,” Moore said.

Men born after Dec. 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service in order to qualify for the test.

“It’s pretty standard and basic stuff,” said applicant Evelyn Halvorson, who took the test Monday. She read about the hiring in her American Association of Retired Persons magazine.

“I’m retired, and was just looking for some additional things to do,” Halvorson said of her interest in the temporary position.

For more information about the census hiring, call 866-861-2010.