[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 30032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15025]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census
[BC-1431, Applicant Background Questionnaire]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

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 August 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Dan Haigler, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instruction(s) 
should be directed to Karen S. Seebold, Bureau of the Census, 3701 St. 
Barnabas Road, Silver Hill Executive Plaza, Room 2A, Washington, D.C. 
20233- 6500, (301) 763-8416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 I. Abstract

    Historically, recruiting enough qualified staff to complete 
decennial field activities within a short, specified time frame is the 
most difficult task the Census Bureau faces. This task is further 
complicated by the need to hire a culturally diverse workforce to meet 
broad census goals. We need an accurate applicant profile that provides 
summary information derived from the BC-1431 data to monitor recruiting 
efforts that will guide our strategies in recruiting applicants who are 
representative of the area being enumerated and who are also familiar 
with the dominant culture of the locality. The Census Bureau's goal is 
to recruit and hire workers who are the best qualified, who are 
indigenous to the area that is being enumerated, and are most familiar 
with the dominant cultures and languages of the area. The BC-1431 data 
are vital to controlling large-scale census and survey recruiting 
operations.

II. Method of Collection

    We collect this information at the time of testing. Applicants are 
advised completion of this information is voluntary.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0494.
    Form Number: BC-1431.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,750 annually.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2.5 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2,032.
    Estimated Total Cost: The only cost to the respondent is his/her 
time for completing the BC-1431. The total cost to administer the BC-
1431 is included in the overhead budget associated with the Census 
Bureau's various surveys and censuses. The estimated annual cost to 
administer the BC-1431 is $14,224.

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 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 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: June 6, 1996.
Dan Haigler,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-15025 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P