According to the Bible, two millennia ago Mary and Joseph had been summoned to Bethlehem to be counted (and taxed) with Joseph’s family in a census when the time came for Jesus to be born. Next year, whether or not it’s really the beginning of the third millennium, it’s time for another census.

Conducted every 10 years (with smaller-scale studies in between), the census provides numbers that help determine everything from the number of congressional representatives allotted to a state to funding for government programs. It also provides a snapshot of how America is changing.

The federal Census Bureau is combing communities within Colorado to recruit workers to help conduct the count. Thirty-five census-takers will be hired in Montezuma County, along with another 10 for the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. La Plata County will require 85; Dolores County will be covered by just five, and San Miguel County will need 35.

"We are recruiting people to work within their neighborhoods because they are most familiar with the residents and their community," said Denver Regional Director Susan Lavin. "Our goal is to have a pool of local people who want to work on census 2000 and who are committed to a successful count in their neighborhood."

In this period of record-low unemployment the Census Bureau will rely on a variety of strategies to find the large number of applicants needed to fill the positions. The Bureau will be targeting senior citizens, retirees (including military and federal), persons seeking a second or third job to supplement income, and current employees of other government agencies.

Recruiting efforts will also include recipients of government programs, such as welfare recipients, as part of the Census Bureau’s Welfare to Work initiative.

The Census Bureau offers competitive wages and flexible hours, as well as paid training. Job applicants must take a written test that measures basic job skills, and must meet certain requirements before being hired as a census worker. All applicants should be at least 18 years old and must pass a background check for criminal history.