2020-20604. Technical Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations

AGENCY:

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Department of Labor.

ACTION:

Request for nominations for membership on the BLS Technical Advisory Committee.

SUMMARY:

The BLS is soliciting new members for the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to address five member terms expiring on April 12, 2021, and any vacancy that may occur on the TAC between the date of publication of this notice and April 12, 2021. The TAC provides advice to the Bureau of Labor Statistics on technical aspects of data collection and the formulation of economic measures and makes recommendations on areas of research. On some technical issues there are differing views, and receiving feedback at public meetings provides BLS with the opportunity to consider all viewpoints. The Committee consists of 16 members chosen from a cross-section of economists, statisticians, and behavioral scientists who represent a balance of expertise. The economists have research experience with technical issues related to BLS data and are familiar with employment and unemployment statistics, price index numbers, compensation measures, productivity measures, occupational and health statistics, or other topics relevant to BLS data series. The statisticians are familiar with sample design, data analysis, computationally intensive statistical methods, non-sampling errors, or other areas which are relevant to BLS work. The behavioral scientists are familiar with questionnaire design, usability, or other areas of survey development. BLS invites persons interested in serving on the TAC to submit their names for consideration for committee membership. Economists and statisticians with an expertise in data science will receive special consideration. Typically, TAC members are appointed to three-year terms, and serve as Special Government Employees.

DATES:

Nominations for the TAC membership should be postmarked or transmitted by October 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Nominations for the TAC membership should be emailed to [e-mail]. Email nominations are preferred, but may also be mailed to Lucy Eldridge, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Room 2150, Washington, DC 20212.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lucy Eldridge, Associate Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Office of Productivity and Technology, Room 2150, Washington, DC 20212. Telephone: [phone]. This is not a toll free number. Email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Bureau often faces highly technical issues while developing and maintaining the accuracy and relevancy of its data on employment and unemployment, prices, productivity, and compensation and working conditions. These issues range from how to develop new measures to how to make sure that existing measures account for the ever-changing economy. BLS presents issues and then draws on the specialized expertise of Committee members representing specialized fields within the academic disciplines of economics, statistics and survey design. Committee members are also invited to bring to the attention of BLS issues that have been identified in the academic literature or in their own research.

The TAC was established to provide advice to the Commissioner of Labor Statistics on technical topics selected by the BLS. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to providing comments on papers and presentations developed by BLS research and program staff, conducting research on issues identified by BLS on which an objective technical opinion or recommendation from outside of BLS would be valuable, recommending BLS conduct internal research projects to address technical problems with BLS statistics that have been identified in the academic literature, participating in discussions of areas where the types or coverage of economic statistics could be expanded or improved and areas where statistics are no longer relevant, and establishing working relationships with professional associations with an interest in BLS statistics, such as the American Statistical Association and the American Economic Association.

Nominations: BLS is looking for committed TAC members who have a strong interest in, and familiarity with, BLS data. The Agency is looking for nominees who use and have a comprehensive understanding of economic statistics. BLS is committed to bringing greater diversity of thought, perspective, and experience to its advisory committees. Nominees from all races, gender, age, and disabilities are encouraged to apply. Interested persons may nominate themselves or may submit the name of another person who they believe to be interested in and qualified to serve on the TAC. Nominations may also be submitted by organizations. Nominations should include the name, address, and telephone number of the candidate. Each nomination should include a summary of the candidate's training or experience relating to BLS data specifically, or economic statistics more generally and a curriculum vitae. In selecting TAC members, BLS will consider individuals nominated in response to this notice, as well as other qualified individuals. Candidates should not submit information they do not want publicly disclosed. BLS will conduct a basic background check of candidates before their appointment to the TAC. The background check will involve accessing publicly available, internet-based sources. BLS will contact nominees for information on their status as registered lobbyists. Anyone currently subject to federal registration requirements as a lobbyist is not eligible for appointment to the TAC. Nominees should be aware of the time commitment for attending meetings and actively participating in the work of the TAC. Historically, this has meant a commitment of at least two days per year.

Authority: This notice was prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 14th day of September 2020.

Mark Staniorski,

Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.