[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4817-4818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1675]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Census Employment Inquiry

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 April 1, 2005.

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 [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, Room 
1408, Building 2, 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 special censuses, decennial census pretests, and dress 
rehearsals for short-term time limited appointments. 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 which require 
the establishment of a temporary office and/or involve special, one-
time or recurring survey operations at one of the ROs. The form has 
been demonstrated to meet our recruitment needs for temporary 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 102,000 applicants for census jobs 
(i.e., one-time censuses, special censuses and decennial pretests and 
dress rehearsals), resulting in a significant savings in respondent 
burden.

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 Number: 0607-0139.
    Form Number: BC-170A, BC-170B, BC-170D.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 34,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the respondent is 
his/her time for completing the form.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain a benefit.
    Legal Authority: 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

[[Page 4818]]

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 or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 25, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-1675 Filed 1-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P