Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application for Appointment in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, 40341 [2012-16608]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 40341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16608]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application for 
Appointment in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 7, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Eric Johnson, (301) 713-7727 or 
NOAACorps.recruiting@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The NOAA Commissioned Corps is the uniformed component of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a bureau of 
the Department of Commerce. Officers serve under Senate-confirmed 
appointments and Presidential commissions (33 U.S.C. chapter 17, 
subchapter 1, sections 853 and 854). The NOAA Corps provides a cadre of 
professionals trained in engineering, earth sciences, oceanography, 
meteorology, fisheries science, and other related disciplines, who are 
dedicated to the service of their country and optimization of NOAA's 
missions to ensure the economic and physical well-being of the Nation. 
NOAA Corps officers serve in assignments throughout NOAA, as well as in 
each of NOAA's Line Offices (National Environmental Satellite, Data, 
and Information Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National 
Ocean Service, National Weather Service, Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, and Office of Program, Planning, and 
Integration).
    Persons wishing to be considered for a NOAA Corps Commission must 
submit a complete application package, including NOAA Form 56-42, at 
least three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. A 
personal interview must also be conducted. Eligibility requirements 
include a bachelor's degree with at least 48 credit hours of science, 
engineering, or other disciplines related to NOAA's missions (including 
either calculus or physics), excellent health, normal color vision with 
uncorrected visual acuity no worse than 20/400 in each eye (correctable 
to 20/20), and ability to complete 20 years of active duty commissioned 
service prior to their 62nd birthday.

II. Method of Collection

    Applicants must utilize the E-recruit electronic application 
process (https://cpc.omao.noaa.gov/erecruit/login.jsp) and then submit 
paper forms via mail. An in-person interview is also required.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0047.
    Form Number: NOAA 56-42, 56-42A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,800.
    Estimated Time per Response: written applications, 2 hours; 
interviews, 5 hours; references, 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,475.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $21,750 in recordkeeping/
reporting and travel costs.

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: July 2, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-16608 Filed 7-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-P