[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 84 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23595-23596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10937]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Census Employment Inquiry

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 2, 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 Joyce A. Price, Bureau of the Census, 4301 
Suitland Road, Room 1408, FB 2, Suitland, MD 20746, (301) 457-4899.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The BC-170, Census Employment Inquiry, is used by the Census Bureau 
to collect information such as personal data and work experience from 
job applicants. The BC-170 is used throughout the census and 
intercensal

[[Page 23596]]

years for short-term time limited employment. Applicants completing the 
form are applying for temporary jobs in office and field positions 
(clerks, enumerators, crew leaders, supervisors). This form is 
completed by job applicants before or at the time they are tested. 
Selecting officials review the information shown on the form to 
determine the best qualified applicants.
    The BC-170 is intended to facilitate speedy hiring and selection in 
situations requiring large numbers of temporary employees for 
assignments of a limited duration. The use of this form is limited to 
only situations which require the establishment of a temporary office 
and/or involve special, one-time survey operations. The form has been 
demonstrated to meet our recruitment needs for temporary workers and 
requires significantly less burden than the Office of Personnel 
Management Optional Forms that are available for use by the public when 
applying for Federal positions.
    Current efforts to hire an enormous temporary workforce for Census 
2000 will significantly increase the usage of the BC-170. The 2000 
Census is the largest peacetime mobilization of civilians that 
enumerate and account for the population of the United States. We 
expect to recruit approximately 2,900,000 applicants for census jobs.
    Since the BC-170 is used regularly and does not change often we are 
planning to discontinue displaying the expiration date of the 
collection on the form to avoid needless reprinting. We are also 
redesigning the form to allow efficient keying of applicant information 
into the fully automated personnel/payroll system designed for use for 
the 2000 Census.

II. Method of Collection

    We collect this information at the time of testing for temporary 
positions. Potential employees being tested complete a four-page paper 
application.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0139.
    Form Number: BC-170.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,950,000 annually.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 737,500 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the individual is 
his/her time for completing the BC-170.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, USC, Section 23.

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 26, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-10937 Filed 4-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P