Drug test: Does anyone know if they test for drugs for those census taker jobs?

Numba6

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Fri Feb-20-09 07:35 PM
Original message

Drug test: Does anyone know if they test for drugs for those census taker jobs?

I smoke pot

Been out of work for months, can't find anything, so I plan to go for one of those as a backup until I can find something in my line

It's a federal job, someone told me all federally funded jobs require job testing.

Anyone know if it's true?

Thanks in advance, apologies if this is the wrong place for this question.

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Hello_Kitty

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Fri Feb-20-09 07:39 PM
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1. Here's something I found. Take it with a grain of salt.

About 400,000 federal workers in testing designated positions � those who have security clearances, carry firearms, deal with public safety or national security, or are presidential appointees � are drug tested when they apply for jobs. Some are subject to random drug testing during their employment. Other federal employees are tested only if they are involved in a workplace accident or show signs of possible drug use.

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/work/a/blsam040409.htm

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Mz Pip

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Fri Feb-20-09 07:39 PM
Response to Original message

2. Here are a couple of links

Maybe these will give you the info you need.

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/work/a/blsam040409.htm

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/asp/drugfree/drugs/screen92.asp

Mz Pip

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bbinacan

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Fri Feb-20-09 07:46 PM
Response to Original message

3. A friend of mine

works for GAO and smokes pot. He's been there for 20+ years.

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MADem

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Fri Feb-20-09 08:04 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. They generally don't test once you're "in" but they do test on the way in.

It's part of the pre-employment screening process.

If he were operating machinery and there was an accident, he'd be screened, like they do to train and aircraft workers.

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MADem

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Fri Feb-20-09 08:01 PM
Response to Original message

4. You are subject to pre-employment drug testing as well as testing during the course of your

employment. Sorry.

E.g.: http://www.buenavistavirginia.org/jobs/index.htm

U.S. Census Job Information (1/29/09-2/5/09)
** Please note ** These are NOT City positions. **

DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center & Other Areas The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and the work is close to home. Census taker jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, persons who want to work part-time, persons who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.

Anyone interested in applying should call the toll free number, 866-861-2010; walk ins are also welcome.

Census representatives will be taking applications and administering the employment test in the following locations:

1/29/09 - 10:30am - Dabney Community College, 35 Vista Dr, Buena Vista, VA
1/29/09 - 1:30pm - Glasgow Public Library, 1108 Bleridge Rd, Glasgow, VA
1/30/09 - 2:30pm - Rockbridge Regional Library, 138 Main St, Lexington, VA
2/03/09 - 10:30am - Goshen Library, 1124 Virginia AVe, Goshen, VA
2/03/09 - 2:30pm - Rockbridge Regional Library, 138 Main St, Lexington, VA
2/05/09 - 10:30am - Dabney Community College, 35 Vista Dr, Buena Vista, VA
2/05/09 - 1:30pm - Glasgow Public Library, 1108 Bleridge Rd, Glasgow, VA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Successful applicants will be required to pass a pre-employment alcohol and drug-screening test and agree to submit to random on the job drug testing.

The City of Buena Vista offers an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, and life insurance and retirement for full-time positions. The City of Buena Vista is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin, handicap, age, or political affiliation.

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iamthebandfanman

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Sat Feb-21-09 01:52 AM
Response to Original message

6. yah but have you tried cheating?

Edited on Sat Feb-21-09 01:57 AM by iamthebandfanman

you could always do like my friend back in 2000(worked for census) and take a stab at one of those clensing herbal drinks that you can find at places like GNC.

the one time i tried one out it definitely worked(as i had smoked 2-3 days before taking the test)...

they are a bit pricey tho, anywhere from 40-80 bucks depending on the risk you wanna take and money you want to spend to try and pass...

the one i purchased that worked was 49.95 i think... it even had a money back gaurentee if my 'results werent satisfactory' ... lol... you were to drink the entire contents of the bottle, followed by a couple of bottles of water(they ask you to refill the bottle that the clenser came in with water) atleast an hour before taking the test ... your urine is to remain clean for around 4-5 hours...
dunno if it really lasts that long but
i drank it about an hour and a half before going to my test and then went directly there...

unfortunately i got laid off 3 months into the job because of the economy.

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Numba6

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Sat Feb-21-09 02:40 PM
Response to Original message

7. thanks to all

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nolalala

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Sat Feb-21-09 04:49 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. no other answers?

I too have been accepted for a temporary census position and enjoy the occasional puff of weed. I need to know now whether to stop though. I feel like the answers above are too unclear.
Does the policy that applies to Buena Vista, Va., apply to all other regions? I've poured over the Census websites and gotten no answer.
Obviously the safe thing to do is stop puffing. But it's Mardi Gras weekend, parties galore here in NOLA. I'd rather not.
Anyone know how I could even find the answer safely?
On the one hand, it is a federally funded job. On the other hand, it's a contract job, not a full time job. Plus, I imagine if they drug test in my area after Carnival season, not many will pass.
Oh, the insanity of Reagan's drug policies!
Thanks.

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gaultimate

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Wed Mar-18-09 04:29 PM
Response to Original message

9. I have a new answer.

My buddy called the number because he had a similar question. They asked the county, which he told them. They transferred him to another person. He told her that he was going to start the census job in a few weeks and he had a question. She said "What's your name so I can look you up in the database?" He told her his first name and said "I just have a general question before you look me up, if that's ok." She said, "Sure." He said, "I'm a pot smoker and I want to know whether or not you're going to drug test me." She laughed, said "yeah," and then said something confusing as she laughed about how he was going to be fine. He replied saying, "Ok. I just want to make sure because I really need this job. Am I going to be drug tested." She laughed harder and then said "No, you're not going to be drug tested. But don't tell anybody I told you."

I hope this helps. My buddy has big stoner balls.

Maybe this is paranoid, but they did transfer him to someone who handles his county. Could it be a county by county thing since those adds posted above say drug testing? On the other hand, the national website only lists a background check as criteria, not drug test.

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propotter

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Sat Mar-28-09 11:59 AM
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10. I Was NOT Drug Tested

OK, here's your answer: I went in yesterday to the area Census Office to do all the new-hire intake as an Enumerator. There was NO DRUG TEST of any kind. They fingerprint you and do a background check but no drug test.

I have a physician's letter for medical cannabis and am thus State-legal in California. But as Census work is a Federal job, and the Feds continue to disrepect the states who have legalized medical use, I remained cynical and assumed the worst. So I put down my medicine for 2-3 weeks and also bought a detox item just in case. I also called the Census office the day before to ask if a urine sample would be required and was told it isn't. I still abstained, just in case, and asked again as soon as I arrived at the office. (Stinking THC metabolites! All the really awful drugs can leave your system so quickly, while this one substance can stay detectable for up to 3 months, depending on usage and fat content in your body. Sooo unfair, and yet another reason to decrimialize this one plant substance!)

I now look forward to a couple of months of Census work to supplement my Soc. Sec. disability retirement low fixed income (which I've been on for over 10 years--talk about having no money!) with gratitude that at least this one Federal agency was not draconian in their intake procedures!

I followed this thread for weeks to find this kind of definitive answer, so I'm happy to pass the word to others of you out there.

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refferman44

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Thu Apr-16-09 10:17 PM
Response to Original message

11. well..........

What about in West Virginia. do they drug test? And if they do, when?

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