Census enumerators are responsible for collecting and recording demographic information from residents within a specific geographic area. Their primary duties include:
- Canvassing assigned areas: Enumerators systematically visit households in their designated blocks, using provided maps and materials to ensure comprehensive coverage of all dwellings and structures.[1]
- Interviewing residents: They conduct in-person interviews, ask required census questions, and accurately document each resident’s information on official census forms or electronic systems.[3]
- Ensuring accuracy and completeness: Enumerators must carefully verify the information collected, avoiding omission or duplication of residents, and ensure all data entries are correct.[1]
- Following census protocols: They adhere exactly to established census procedures, maintain professionalism during interviews, and systematically work within their assigned boundaries.[1]
- Maintaining confidentiality: All data gathered is kept strictly confidential; enumerators must not discuss information with anyone other than their supervisors or authorized census personnel.[1]
- Reporting to supervisors: Enumerators regularly check in with their supervisors—often daily—to submit completed forms, time records, and report any issues or discrepancies.[1]
- Correcting mapping or procedural errors: If enumerators discover discrepancies between maps and on-the-ground circumstances, they are responsible for noting and reporting these to supervisors.[1]
- Engaging respectfully with the public: Enumerators represent local or national census authorities and are expected to be courteous, neatly dressed, and considerate while interacting with residents.[3]
- Securing all census materials: They ensure that all assigned materials, such as maps and identity cards, are collected and maintained for the duration of their assignment.[5]
- Completing required training: Enumerators attend training sessions and review census procedures, forms, and questions to properly understand their tasks before beginning fieldwork.[5]
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