Census Bureau Creates 2,500 Government Jobs in Maryland

Although the Maryland jobs situation continues to be better than much of the country, the state saw an increase in unemployment in May. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, joblessness in Maryland climbed 0.4 percent from April’s 6.8 percent to 7.2 percent during the month. This is still significantly lower than the national average of 9.4 percent, but also a good deal higher to the 4.1 percent experienced in Maryland during May of 2008.

Even with the relatively low jobless rate, new employment opportunities can still make a difference to the 212,500 residents that were unable to find work in May. According to a recent press release, the U.S. Census Bureau has chosen the state to open one of its three data capture centers. By doing this, the Bureau will create more than 2,500 new jobs in Baltimore County, Maryland.

The new 236,500-square-foot center will handle the processing of the 2010 Census questionnaires. These surveys will be mailed in from households across the country at varying intervals.

“Processing the 2010 Census questionnaires accurately and safely at the data capture centers is a crucial step to a successful census,” said the Census Bureau’s Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg in a recent press release. “The data from each form processed at the facility will help to provide a complete count of the nation’s population and a new portrait of America.”

The newly opened Baltimore Data Center is slated to process approximately 40 percent of the census questionnaires mailed in from across the country. The remaining surveys will be split up and sent to either the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana and the Phoenix data capture center. The latter is expected to open in November. The 2010 Census surveys will be mailed out in March of next year. Census officials expect that the majority of the data processing will take place between March and July.

According to the recent press release, Lockheed Martin will manage the Baltimore Data Capture Center. CSC, a subcontractor partner of Lockheed, will handle all hiring for the 2,500 positions. For the most part, hiring will take place in December. Positions require a certain level of confidentiality because Census workers are expected, by law, to take an oath for life that bars them form sharing respondents’ answers with other government or law enforcement agencies. Violation of this can result in a fine of as much as $250,000 and a prison sentence of up to five years.