[Federal Register: July 8, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 130)]
[Notices]
[Page 41227-41228]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jy04-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commerce
Automated Job Application System
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DOC), as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to comment on the continuing and
proposed information collection, 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 September 7,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at dHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to the attention of Thomas R. Krieder, Computer
Specialist, (202) 482-0537, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of
Human Resources Management, IT Group, 14th & Constitution Ave, NW.,
Room 5004, Washington, DC 20230, or via e-mail to tkreider@doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Commerce automated job application system is a web-based
software system that automates the vacancy announcement, application
intake, application evaluation, and application referral processes, for
positions in the Department of Commerce (DOC).
In the current employment environment qualified job applicants for
federal positions are in great demand. The DOC is in direct competition
with private industry for the same caliber of candidates with the
requisite knowledge and skills to fulfill the mission of the DOC.
Consequently, it is imperative that every available technology be
employed if the DOC is to remain competitive and meet hiring goals. The
information provided by a job applicant will assist the Human Resources
Specialists and hiring managers in determining whether an applicant
meets the basic qualifications requirements and is best qualified for
the position being filled. The job applicant may also voluntarily
respond to two surveys. One survey is designed to identify how
applicants learned about the job to which they applied. The second
survey is to identify their user satisfaction and identify problems/
improvements which will make the system more user friendly. The
information from both surveys provide data to improve the Commerce
recruitment and outreach strategy to attract the best qualified job
applicants. In addition, the electronic transmission will expedite the
hiring process by reducing the time used in application evaluation,
candidate referral and selection, and in the recruitment paperwork
distribution/workflow process.
The Commerce automated job application system will provide the DOC
with a more user-friendly on-line employment application process and
will enable the DOC to process hiring actions in a more efficient and
timely manner. The on-line application will provide an electronic real
time candidate list that will allow the DOC to review applications from
applicants almost instantaneously. Given the immediate hiring needs of
the DOC, time consumed in the mail distribution system or paper review
of applications delays the decision-making process by several weeks.
The continued use of the electronic application will maintain or
increase the speed and accuracy in the employment process. It also
streamlines labor and reduces costs.
The use of the Commerce automated job application system fully
meets the intent of 5 U.S.C. 2301, which requires that Federal
personnel management be implemented consistent with merit system
principles.
Since the Commerce automated job application system will be used as
an alternative form of employment application, the collection and use
of the information requires Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
approval as outlined in Chapter 4, section A of the Delegated Examining
Operations Handbook. The Handbook provides guidance to agencies under a
delegated examining authority by the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM), under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 1104.
II. Method of Collection
Application information is collected electronically from the
applicant through the Commerce automated job application system.
Applicants may contact the DOC Web site on the Internet where they will
find the on-line application and can fill out and submit the form
electronically while connected to the Web site. Applicants who do not
have access to a personal computer are directed to the servicing Human
Resources Office for a paper version of the on-line announcement and
application.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0690-0019.
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Individuals or households, and the Federal
Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: On average, the time to complete the
on-line application is estimated to be 1 hour. But, depending on the
situation, it could take as little as 10 minutes or as long as two
hours to complete the on-line application. This is determined by the
position for which the applicant is applying, and whether this is the
applicant's first application in Commerce automated job application
system, or if he or she already has a resume completed in Commerce
automated job application system, which automatically fills in
approximately 75% of the application's fields.
[[Page 41228]]
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 30,000.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $0.
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 will 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, e.g., the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: June 30,2004.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-15457 Filed 7-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-17-P