Even in an era of high unemployment, the U.S. Census Bureau is finding it challenging to recruit all of the workers it will need to count the population this year in some of the most disadvantaged city neighborhoods and suburbs.

The same communities where the population can be hardest to track down are those where hiring workers apparently will be the most difficult, Pittsburgh office census officials told representatives of various municipalities at a presentation yesterday.

The federal bureau strives to hire door-to-door census staff to work in the communities where they live. The enumerators make personal visits throughout the spring to households that have failed voluntarily to return the census forms being mailed nationwide in mid-March.

Sharon Hunt, assistant manager for recruiting in the census bureau's Pittsburgh office, said fewer people than desired are applying for the $15.75-an-hour positions from such city neighborhoods as the Hill District, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington and Fairywood and suburbs including Duquesne, Rankin and Wilkinsburg.

The Pittsburgh office, which covers the city and divides the rest of Allegheny County with census offices in Greensburg and Beaver Falls, plans to hire 1,500 workers this spring. The suburban offices have not had as much difficulty recruiting applicants, Ms. Hunt said.

To help ensure a suitable work force in and near the city, officials would like to draw upon a pool of 10,700 applicants they hope will take the bureau's test by the end of March. As of now, 4,300 people locally have been tested, which she said is behind the pace needed to meet applicant goals. Most hiring will take place in March.

The bureau is attempting through the African-American community, local government, colleges, churches, civic organizations and other means -- such as putting fliers on doors -- to spread word of hiring in the neighborhoods facing a potential shortfall of workers.

"We need people to work in their own communities for it to be effective," Ms. Hunt said.

Shelly Lowe, a spokeswoman for the Census Bureau national office, said some 840,000 positions will need to be filled this year for the non-response follow-up effort. She had no information on how many cities are having problems meeting applicant goals, but said, "There's always going to be pockets where we need to do extra recruiting."

The temporary census enumerator positions are open to those 18 and older, with 32 hours of paid training provided before door-to-door work begins. Officials said the flexibility of hours should make the jobs attractive to students, retirees, stay-at-home mothers and others. Applicants must clear FBI criminal background checks.

Those interested should call 1-866-861-2010 for more information.

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