The current administration has been actively trying to foil the effectiveness of the census. I'm not surprised it was a circus.
Long read but shows how the government works.
I apply Hanlon's Razor to this one.
So like I said, got the phone call.
Next steps (after saying sure, I'll take the job):
1) Schedule appointment and get fingerprinted and photographed. Had to schedule and somehow this took place at an Office Depot. Of course the website was broken for quite a while but eventually came back and was able to schedule.
2) Some sort of facial recognition algorithm to see if my picture was compliant for my badge. I failed the test, probably due to my beard so they had to call in someone to override it.
3) Finger prints, more on that later.
4) So sat in limbo wondering what was happening? Do I have the job? Do I not have it? Had to upload my "onboard" documents for a background check, direct deposit, etc. on the website which of course was broke at first for a few days.
5) Called the local office every few days basically asking "Hey, do I have this job?" Response was "Probably yes." Now note, there was no interview of any kind.
6) One day they started emailing me every 30 seconds the same email. Not a hyperbole. After a couple hours that finally stopped after getting a damn thousand.
7) Finally got an email training would be scheduled like March 24 or something, for 3 full days. They'd provide me with some smartphone.
8) Covid-19 hits.
9) They send an email saying hey, when this passes you still have your job.
So that's your census takers at work. And yes, it takes around 3 minutes to complete online.
Got a chuckle when getting fingerprinted. Everyone else was much younger than me. I'm like "Yeah, you don't realize some of the folks you are going to run in to."
Like a guy with a sidearm opening the door. I'd sorta laugh, ask what he is carrying.
Getting my CCW was easier than this in the fingerprint department.