[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 69 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17615-17616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9051]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Applicant Background Questionnaire
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 11, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Dayna Jacobs, Bureau of the Census, Field
Division, SFC-2, Room 1408, Washington, DC 20233-5700, 301-457-4899.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Applicant Background Questionnaire is completed on a voluntary
basis by applicants for temporary (Schedule A) positions with the
Bureau of the Census at the time of application and testing. Temporary
positions normally last 8-12 weeks, and applicants must meet the
minimum qualifications of a written test. The expected number of
applicants for temporary Census Bureau jobs is increasing significantly
because of our efforts to hire over 800,000 enumerators for Census
2000. The questions on the Applicant Background Questionnaire are of a
sensitive nature relating to race and national origin as well as
medical disabilities. This information is useful in determining whether
we have a representative sample of the community from which we are
hiring. This allows the Bureau of the Census to adjust recruiting
efforts quickly and to employ local applicants for indigenous hiring.
Background information provided by applicants will not be used in
applicant screening or selection and will not be available to the
selecting official.
The Applicant Background Questionnaire asks the minimum number of
questions to obtain the necessary information. Individuals complete the
form only once and the Bureau of the Census does not obtain similar
information from applicants prior to employment. The confidentiality of
information contained on the BC-1431 will be maintained according to
the Privacy Act. The questionnaire contains the Privacy Act statement.
II. Method of Collection
Individuals complete the BC-1431 only once. Based on past
experience, the BC-1431 on average takes about 2.5 minutes to complete.
The paper form is completed by the applicant at the time of testing.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0494.
Form Number: BC-1431.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: Decennial Census Job Applicants.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,200,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 2.5 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 133,333.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents except
for their time.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: P.L. 92-261, Equal Employment Opportunity Act of
1972 P.L. 94-311, Publication of Economic and Social Statistics for
Americans of Spanish Origin or Descent 43 FR 38297, Information of
Impact (Section 4) 5 U.S.C. 7201, Antidiscrimination Policy, Minority
Recruitment Program.
[[Page 17616]]
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-9051 Filed 4-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
