Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to gather information from people who apply for temporary jobs to help with the big counting of everyone in the country, called a census. They're asking people to share their thoughts to make the process easier and better for next time, but they're not giving details about money and some people might find it hard to participate.
Summary AI
The Census Bureau under the Department of Commerce has issued a notice inviting public comments for 60 days on a new information collection process called the Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection. This will gather data from job applicants for temporary positions related to the upcoming census. Applicants will fill out electronic forms that collect details like personal data, employment status, and job-related qualifications. The aim is to streamline the hiring process for census jobs and improve future recruitment efforts. Public comments will help the Bureau refine its information collection methods to minimize the public's reporting burden.
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the proposed new information collection, Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection, prior to the submission of the information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Census Bureau, part of the Department of Commerce, requesting public comments on a new information collection process. This process, known as the Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection, aims to gather data from individuals seeking temporary positions for the upcoming census. The Bureau plans to use electronic forms to collect applicant data, such as personal information and employment status, to streamline the hiring process and improve recruitment efforts.
General Issues and Concerns
There are several issues and concerns raised by this document. Firstly, the notice does not specify any budgetary allocations or spending plans, leaving questions about possible financial inefficiencies or favoritism unanswered. Secondly, the absence of an online Spanish version or paper forms for this data collection might limit accessibility for non-English speakers and individuals without internet access, potentially excluding important segments of the population. Additionally, the placeholder "OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX" indicates that a critical identifier is not finalized, which could cause confusion.
Moreover, the notice alerts commenters that their personal information might not be protected from disclosure, which could discourage public participation and undermine the collection of diverse feedback. Lastly, technical terms such as "EEOC Management Directive (MD) 715-1" and undefined bureaucratic references may be baffling for laypersons, potentially discouraging informed participation.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broad Public Impact
This initiative seeks to streamline census hiring, which could enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the upcoming census. Efficient hiring could ensure adequate staffing, contributing to a comprehensive national count crucial for policy-making and resource allocation. However, public participation might be hindered if individuals are reluctant to share personal information in public comments due to privacy concerns.
Specific Stakeholder Impact
For potential job seekers, this streamlined collection system promises easier application processes and broader consideration for various positions through a single submission. However, those without digital access or who are non-English speakers might find these opportunities less accessible, potentially exacerbating disparities.
Conclusion
While the initiative could improve the efficiency of the census hiring process, important considerations regarding accessibility, privacy, and administrative clarity need addressing. Ensuring broader public participation by protecting privacy and expanding language and access options will be crucial for realizing the full benefits of this initiative.
Financial Assessment
The analysis of the financial references within the Federal Register document reveals limited explicit financial implications or direct spending details related to the proposed information collection by the Census Bureau.
Financial Implications
The document specifies an Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. This suggests that the implementation and operation of the Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection will not impose a direct financial burden on the individuals applying for temporary census positions or the general public. The absence of an associated cost aligns with the respondents' obligation being categorized as voluntary, meaning individuals are not mandated by law to participate should they choose not to.
Relation to Issues
While there are no direct financial allocations or appropriations mentioned in the document, this absence could raise questions about funding sources and budget allocations related to the support and execution of this information gathering process. Given that the document invites public participation without detailing a specific financial mechanism or budget plan, it limits visibility into potential costs that might be incurred elsewhere, such as through internal Census Bureau budgets or other governmental appropriations.
Moreover, the lack of a Spanish version of the DARHTS system or paper alternatives, as highlighted in the document issues, suggests a potential oversight in accessibility funding. While the document indicates future plans to incorporate these versions when expanding to specific regions, the immediate absence might imply that current resource allocations have not been directed toward this aspect. This could lead to increased future costs should retroactive adjustments be necessary.
In summary, the financial details in the document are minimal and do not address broader budgetary considerations. The estimated zero cost to the public is favorable, but the lack of clarity around the financial structure of the project's execution might be of concern when considering inclusivity and accessibility, as highlighted by the absence of certain linguistic and format alternatives.
Issues
• The document does not detail any specific budget or spending amounts, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending or favoritism.
• The 'Method of Collection' mentions that there is no online Spanish version or paper versions for the current collection, which could limit accessibility for non-English speakers and those without internet access.
• The document refers to 'OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX' as a placeholder, which suggests that the actual control number is not yet assigned or indicated, leading to potential confusion.
• The notice indicates that personal information from public comments may not be protected from public disclosure, which might discourage participation.
• The use of technical terms like 'OMB Control Number,' 'EEOC Management Directive (MD) 715-1,' without further explanation, could be confusing for lay readers unfamiliar with federal bureaucratic processes.