2018-13905. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested: Form USM-164, Applicant Reference Check Questionnaire

AGENCY:

U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Justice.

ACTION:

30-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2017, allowing for a 60-day comment period.

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for an additional 30 days until August 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have additional comments, particularly with respect to the estimated public burden or associated response time, have suggestions, need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or desire any other additional information, please contact Nicole Timmons either by mail at CG-3, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20530-0001, by email at [e-mail], or by telephone at 202-236-2646. Written comments and/or suggestions can also be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503 or sent to [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

—Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected can be enhanced; and

—Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

(1) Type of Information Collection: New collection.

(2) The Title of the Form/Collection: Form USM-164, Applicant Reference Check Questionnaire.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection:

Form number: USM-164.

Component: U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Individuals (supervisors, peers, subordinates).

Abstract: This form will primarily be used to collect applicant reference information. Reference checking is an objective evaluation of an applicant's past job performance based on information collected from key individuals (e.g., supervisors, peers, subordinates) who have known and worked with the applicant. Reference checking is a necessary supplement to the evaluation of resumes and other descriptions of training and experience, and allows the selecting official to hire applicants with a strong history of performance. The questions on this form have been developed following the OPM, MSPB, and DOJ “Best Practice” guidelines for reference checking.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: An estimated 1,500 respondents will respond to the form, and it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to record their responses on the form.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated annual public burden associated with this collection is 500 hours, which is equal to 1,500 (total # of annual responses) * 20 minutes.

If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 3E.405A, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: June 25, 2018.

Melody Braswell,

Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.