[Federal Register: April 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 69)]
[Notices]               
[Page 17615-17616]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ap99-47]

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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