Census Test Field Officer (University) Cardiff

AMS Skills Creation; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Travel expenses provided

Flexible hours

Job summary

The Office for National Statistics is recruiting Census Test Field Officers (University) to support fieldwork in university halls of residence in the Cardiff area. You will engage students, encourage participation, and visit allocated addresses, recording visit outcomes and reporting progress to your line manager.

Training is provided and the role is field-based with flexible hours. No prior census experience is required; strong communication and reliability are valued.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Friendly, approachable and professional manner.
• Confidence engaging with a wide range of people.
• Comfort using a smartphone and mobile apps.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
• BPSS baseline checks eligibility (identity, right to work, history, criminal record).

Responsibilities

• Visit addresses and accurately record visit outcomes.
• Liaise with Halls Managers.
• Attend Census events on campus and in halls of residence.
• Promote the benefits of the census, encouraging a positive response from students.
• Provide regular reports on progress to your line manager, attending team meetings.
• Encouraging, and assisting with, completion.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent worker

Smartphone literacy

Organisational skills

Reliability

Job description

About the job

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is conducting an important large-scale Census Test in 2027. which will help shape the design and delivery of Census 2031.

AMS Skills Creation are working in partnership with ONS to hire enthusiastic, community-minded Census Test Field Officers (University to deliver the Census test in university halls of residence. You’ll support your local student population to take part in this important project. No previous census or survey experience is required.

If you're confident speaking with people, enjoy working independently, and want to make a difference in your local student community, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in a nationally important project.
• Help students take part and make sure they have the opportunity to be represented.
• Gain valuable experience working with the UK's largest producer of official statistics.
• Enjoy flexible working patterns that can fit around your existing commitments.
• Receive comprehensive training and ongoing support.
• Be part of an inclusive and innovative team making a real impact on public services of the future.

About the Roles

As a Census Test Field Officer (University), you'll be working in and around university halls of residence, visiting selected student accommodation, attending events and encouraging students to complete their Census questionnaire.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Visiting addresses and accurately recording the visit outcome
• Liaising with Halls Managers
• Attending Census events on campus and in halls of residence
• Promoting the benefits of the census, encouraging a positive response from students
• Providing regular reports on progress to your line manager, attending team meetings
• Encouraging, and assisting with, completion

The role is field-based and you will be expected to work across a range of locations associated with your allocated halls of residence.

Your work will be allocated with the aim of ensuring you can travel and complete it within your contracted hours. You will be paid an hourly rate, plus travel expenses in line with ONS’ travel policy.

Contract and Working Pattern

• Start Date: February 2027
• Duration: Approximately 5 weeks
• Hours: Approximately 25 hours per week
• Working Times: Flexible between 8:00am and 8:00pm
• Evening and Weekend Availability: Some working hours are expected to be during evenings and weekends

These roles offer flexibility, allowing you to schedule most of your hours around existing commitments

Full Training Provided

You will begin with a comprehensive one-week training programme designed to give you everything you need to succeed.

We'll help you develop the skills and confidence to:

• Plan and organise your workload effectively
• Manage visits confidently and safely
• Communicate with a wide range of people
• Use the technology and systems required for the role

What we are looking for

You don't need previous census, survey or public sector experience.

We're interested in people who have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A friendly, approachable and professional manner
• The confidence to engage with a wide range of people
• Confidence using a smartphone and mobile applications
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently
• Self-motivation and reliabilityProblem-solving skills and resilience

Essential requirements

To be eligible, you'll need:

• A reliable wireless broadband and/or 4G mobile data signal at your home
• To meet the eligibility criteria for Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). BPSS includes identity, right to work, employment history; and criminal record (unspent convictions) checks.

Be Part of Something Bigger

The Census helps shape decisions about public services, housing, transport, healthcare and education. By joining the Census Test team, you'll play an important role in ensuring communities are accurately represented and that future census operations are as effective as possible.

Apply Today

We will be screening candidates throughout September and October.