[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22864-22865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9908]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Census 
Employment Inquiry

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Viola Lewis-Willis, Bureau of the Census, 4600 
Silver Hill Road, Room 5H043, Washington, DC 20233, and (301) 763-3285.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The BC-170, Census Employment Inquiry, is used to collect 
information such as personal data and work experience from job 
applicants. The BC-170 is used throughout the census and intercensal 
periods for surveys, special censuses, decennial census pretests, and 
dress rehearsals. Applicants completing the form for a census related 
position are applying for temporary jobs in office and field positions 
(clerks, enumerators, crew leaders, supervisors). In addition, as an 
option to the OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, the 
BC-170 may be used when applying for temporary/permanent office and 
field positions (clerks, field representatives, supervisors) on a 
recurring survey in one of the Census Bureau's 12 Regional Offices 
(ROs) throughout the United States. This form is completed by job 
applicants at the time they are tested. Selecting officials review the 
information shown on the form to evaluate an applicant's eligibility 
for employment. During the decennial census, the BC-170 is intended to 
expedite 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 that involve 
special, one-time or recurring survey operations at one of the ROs and/
or which require the establishment of a temporary office. The form has 
been demonstrated to meet our recruitment needs for field workers and 
requires significantly less burden than the Office of Personnel 
Management (OPM) Optional Forms that are available for use by the 
public when applying for Federal positions. Over the next three years, 
we expect to recruit approximately 61,500 applicants for census jobs 
(i.e., one-time censuses, special censuses and decennial pretests and 
dress rehearsals), which would equate to a significant reduction in the 
required paperwork and public burden, as compared to other Federal 
application forms.
    The bulk of the proposed changes to the form are related to 
standardizing the information collected across the three variations of 
the forms which we currently utilized and to collect additional 
applicant data to facilitate the processing of the application.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0139.
    Form Number: BC-170A, BC-170B, BC-170D.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.

[[Page 22865]]

    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,125.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the respondent is 
his/her time for completing the BC-170A (recurring surveys), BC-170B 
(special censuses), or BC-170D (decennial censuses).
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain a benefit.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C. 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 20, 2011.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-9908 Filed 4-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P