IRVINE

As the U.S. Census Bureau gears up for the momentous task of counting every head in the nation, a census office in Irvine will begin recruiting locals to help out. The Irvine census office is responsible for collecting data for those living in an area that spans the area from the Costa Mesa Freeway to Dana Point and from the coast to the Riverside County border.

People living in this area are encouraged to apply, said Joe Chavez, manager of the Irvine office. The census bureau needs to hire clerical employees along with about 900 field workers. They will gather data from residents regionwide who have not returned their census forms by “Census Day” on April 1.

The office is hoping to recruit about 5,000 applicants to be screened for their various paid positions, most of which are part time. Applicants will be tested for reasoning and mathematical skills before landing the six- to eight-week jobs. Census 2000 questionnaires will be sent out in mid-March to an estimated 275 million people nationwide.

The Irvine office will hold an open house at 9 a.m. Friday to introduce area residents to the census and its local operations. The Census 2000 Irvine Office is at 3337 Michelson Drive, Suite CN-2. Information: (949) 221-8740.