Census night 2016 takes place on Sunday 24 April and the Central Statistics Office will be employing 4,700 enumerators for a 10-week period to carry it out.

Enumerators will distribute the census forms in advance of census night and then return to collect them once the census has taken place.

Enumerators answer questions that people might have and they must ensure all of the documentation is completed correctly.

They will generally have to look after 400 households and will receive approximately €2,400 as payment. You don’t need a degree for this role – in fact you don’t need any particular qualification at all, but there are some distinct personality traits that those applying should possess – patience, tact, and consideration – to win the confidence and co-operation of householders. Overall, enumerators should be a friendly face at the door.

Those interested in applying for the positions should be aware there’s a lot of paperwork involved, you have to be organised (for example you have to pick a time to call to houses that suits the area you’re working in) and it’s quite a physical job – there’s a lot of walking involved.

Challenges in the role are posed in the form of calling to houses where people don’t want to open the door; they’re there but they don’t want to be disturbed. But there are very positive elements to the job too, however. What draws many to this position is the opportunity it provides for meeting many different people – often in your very own area, if you’re lucky.

One lady that enumerated in the last census, Helen Behan, says what she enjoyed most was “realising that most people are genuinely nice and helpful and just to meet elderly people and bring somebody into their home who may not have been there – it gives them somebody to chat to for a couple of minutes.”

Enumerators will be trained and will be provided with all the materials required to do the work, including a mobile phone, calling cards, a high-visibility jacket and a satchel.

There is also a strong support network for the enumerators in the form of supervisors.

The contract runs from 21 March to 27 May and a minimum of 22 hours a week is required. These hours are mainly during evenings and at the weekend.

Applications open on 5 January and will close on 8 January or when applications reach 15,000 – whichever happens first. Visit http://www.census.ie/Default.aspx CL