[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2111-2112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-564]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Field Representative Exit Questionnaire (BC-1294/1294(D))

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 March 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek , Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Geraldine Burt, Census/Field Division, Room 1784/
FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233-4400, and 301-763-1935.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Retention of trained field interviewing staff is a major concern 
for the Census Bureau because of both the monetary costs associated 
with employee turnover, as well as the potential impact on data 
quality. The Field Representative Exit Survey is used to collect data 
from a sample of our former current survey interviewers (field 
representatives) and decennial operations interviewers (enumerators). 
The purpose of the Field Representative Exit Survey is to determine the 
reasons for interviewer turnover and what the Census Bureau might do to 
help reduce its turnover rate for interviewing staff.
    We will use Form BC-1294 to collect data from field representatives 
who leave the Census Bureau. We will use Form BC-1294(D) to collect 
data from the enumerators hired to work on the 2010 Test Census in 
2005/2006 (and in the 2008 Dress Rehearsal in 2007) who stop working 
voluntarily before the operation for which they were hired is 
completed. Both forms ask questions about the factors that affected an 
interviewer's decision regarding voluntarily leaving employment with 
the Census Bureau. The BC-1294 and BC-1294(D) cover the same topics, 
but the questions and response choices on the BC-1294(D) have been 
tailored to decennial census operations.
    Interviewer turnover is of heightened concern during a decennial 
census because of the short time periods for data collection operations 
and the potential adverse impact excessive turnover would have on 
completing operations as scheduled. The 2010 Test Censuses are being 
used by the Census Bureau to test and experiment with procedures in a 
simulated census environment in preparation for the 2010 Census. The 
second of the major field tests for the 2010 Test Census will be 
conducted in 2006. The primary goal of the 2006 Census Test will be to 
test and improve the field and automated systems needed to support the 
major design components of the 2010 Census. The results of the 2006 
Census Tests will inform the design of the 2008 Dress Rehearsal. 
Emphasis in the 2006 Census Test will be on continuing the assessment 
of new methods and systems proposed for 2010, including an analysis of 
the impact of the use of hand-held computers for locating addresses and 
route planning, interviewing and collection of Global Positioning 
Systems (GPS) coordinates on field staffing.
    The information collected via the Field Representative Exit Survey 
will help the Census Bureau develop plans to reduce turnover in its 
current survey and decennial interviewing staff. These results allow 
for better informed management decisions regarding the field work force 
and the implementation of more effective recruitment, pay plans, 
interviewer training, and retention strategies for both current and 
decennial interviewers.

[[Page 2112]]

II. Method of Collection

    The data will be collected by telephone. Interviews with former 
current survey field representatives should take approximately seven 
(7) minutes. We estimate that interviews will be conducted with a total 
of 500 field representatives on a yearly basis. Approximately every 
month, a sample of one-half of all field representatives who 
voluntarily resigned within the period will be contacted by telephone 
to complete a BC-1294 questionnaire.
    The form BC-1294(D) contains a few more questions related to 
decennial census working conditions, including the impact of proposed 
automation of some data collection operations. Interviews with former 
enumerators should take approximately ten (10) minutes. Initial hiring 
for the 2006 Test Census is scheduled to begin in 2005 for early 
operations. The 2010 Census Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for 2008, with 
initial hiring to begin in 2007. It is estimated that interviews will 
be conducted with 375 former enumerators in 2005, 2006, and 2007. 
Beginning approximately two weeks after the start of the 2006 Tests 
Census operations in 2005 (and in 2007 for the 2008 Dress Rehearsal), a 
sample of enumerators who have continuously been in a non-pay status 
for a period of two weeks will be contacted by telephone to complete a 
BC-1294(D) questionnaire.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0404.
    Form Number: BC-1294, BC-1294(D).
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Former Census Bureau Interviewers (Field 
Representatives and Enumerators).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500 Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 375 Former 2010 Test Census Enumerators.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 7 minutes for Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 10 minutes for Test Census Enumerators.

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

FY05:
    59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers.
    10 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators (2006 Test early 
operations).
    69 Total Hours.
FY06:
    59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers.
    54 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators (2006 Test).
    113 Total Hours.
FY07:
    59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers.
    10 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators (2008 Dress 
Rehearsal early operations).
    69 Total Hours.

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents other 
than their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority:  Title 5 U.S.C. 3101 and Title 13 U.S.C. 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: January 6, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-564 Filed 1-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P