Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Interviews started last Friday for the 159 applicants who passed the census test for part-time jobs as field enumerators for the 2020 American Samoa Census. This is according to local Census Area Manager Meleisea Vai Filiga.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the ASG Human Resources Department (DHR) worked with the American Samoa Census Office in recruiting census workers, and the census enumerator test was held Dec. 14th at two locations.

Samoa News learned early last week that about 600 applications were received by DHR. In response to Samoa News inquiries, Meleisea said 575 applications were received for testing. “Since the census field enumeration is part-time work after normal working hours, the list includes those with jobs and looking for part-time jobs,” he said.

All applicants were eligible to take the test, as long as they were 18+ years of age and a U.S. citizen/national or permanent resident. Out of the 575 applicants, “only 260 took the test” and “only 159 passed,” Meleisea said, adding that those who passed will now go through the interview stage, set for Dec. 20-27th.

There have been public inquiries to Samoa News about whether the local Census Office will give applicants who missed the Dec. 14th testing, a chance to sit the test. In response, Meleisea said it’s “important to have a sufficient pool of qualified applicants to select from for census field positions. With close to 300 workers needed, we need to have another run of testing.”

He then revealed that the next test is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2020 and all those who missed the Dec. 14th test - as well as anyone interested in census field work - will have a chance to sit the test. “Anyone who already took the test should not take it again,” Meleisea emphasized.

Those who spoke to Samoa News say they didn’t make the Dec. 14th test because the test sites were changed - a last minute move - and concerns with the measles outbreak. Meleisea explained, “because of the measles outbreak and government orders to avoid mass gatherings, the census office was given the okay for testing in classroom settings, thus, the reason for moving the test sites from the DYWA center to the Samoana HS campus, and from the Election Office conference room to the ASCC.” He said the change in venues was released to the media and advertised Dec. 12-13th before the test date. Additionally, signs were posted at DYWA and the Election Office about the change of venue.