Notice of Submission for Approval: Information Collection 3206-0182; Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306., 52523-52525 [2015-21627]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices Week of September 7, 2015—Tentative Tuesday, September 8, 2015 9:25 a.m. Affirmation Session (Public Meeting)—Tentative. (a) Final Rule: Hearing on Challenges to the Immediate Effectiveness of Orders (10 CFR parts 2 and 150; RIN 3150–AJ27). (Tentative). (b) DTE Electric Co. (Fermi Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2), Applicant’s Appeal of LBP–15–5 (Mar. 3, 2015). (Tentative). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. 9:30 a.m. Briefing on Project AIM 2020 (Public Meeting) (Contact: Karen Fitch: 301–415–7358). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. Thursday, September 10, 2015 9:30 a.m. Briefing on NRC International Activities (Closed— Ex. 1 & 9). Week of September 14, 2015—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of September 14, 2015. Week of September 21, 2015—Tentative Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Discussion of Management and Personnel Issues (Closed—Ex. 2 & 6). Thursday, September 24, 2015 9:30 a.m. Strategic Programmatic Overview of the New Reactors Business Line (Public Meeting) (Contact: Donna Williams: 301– 415–1322). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. For more information or to verify the status of meetings, contact Glenn Ellmers at 301–415–0442 or via email at Glenn.Ellmers@nrc.gov. * * * * * The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the Internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ public-meetings/schedule.html. * * * * * The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings, or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g. braille, large print), please notify Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, by videophone at 240–428–3217, or by email at Kimberly.Meyer-Chambers@ nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * Members of the public may request to receive this information electronically. If you would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301– 415–1969), or email Brenda.Akstulewicz@nrc.gov or Patricia.Jimenez@nrc.gov. Dated: August 27, 2015. Glenn Ellmers, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–21641 Filed 8–27–15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Week of September 28, 2015—Tentative Monday, September 28, 2015 1:30 p.m. NRC All Employees Meeting (Public Meeting), Marriott Bethesda North Hotel, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852. OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION Sunshine Act Meeting Notice tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Thursday, October 1, 2015 9:00 a.m. Strategic Programmatic Overview of the Decommissioning and Low-Level Waste and Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Business Lines (Public Meeting); (Contact: Damaris Marcano: 301– 415–7328). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. Week of October 5, 2015—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of October 5, 2015. * * * * * VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Thursday, September 17, 2015, 2 p.m. (OPEN Portion). 2:15 p.m. (Closed Portion) PLACE: Offices of the Corporation, Twelfth Floor Board Room, 1100 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: Meeting OPEN to the Public from 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Closed portion will commence at 2:15 p.m. (approx.) MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. President’s Report 2. Minutes of the Open Session of the June 11, 2015 Board of Directors Meeting TIME AND DATE: FURTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC 2:15 P.M.): PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52523 1. Proposed FY 2017 Budget 2. Finance Project—Pakistan 3. Finance Project—India 4. Finance Project—South Africa 5. Finance Project—South Africa 6. Minutes of the Closed Session of the June 11, 2015 Board of Directors Meeting 7. Reports 8. Pending Projects CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Information on the meeting may be obtained from Catherine F. I. Andrade at (202) 336–8768, or via email at Catherine.Andrade@opic.gov. Dated: August 27, 2015. Catherine F. I. Andrade, Corporate Secretary, Overseas Private Investment Corporation. [FR Doc. 2015–21598 Filed 8–27–15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3210–01–P U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Notice of Submission for Approval: Information Collection 3206–0182; Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Federal Investigative Services (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a revised information collection, control number 3206–0182, Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35), as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104–106), OPM is providing an additional 30 days for public comments. OPM previously solicited comments for this collection, with a 60-day public comment period, at 79 FR 47693 (August 14, 2014). DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 30, 2015. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 52524 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of Personnel Management or sent via electronic mail to oira_submission@ omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this information collection, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Donna McLeod or by electronic mail at FISFormsComments@opm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that OPM has submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of a revised information collection, control number 3206–0182, Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. The public has an additional 30-day opportunity to comment. The Declaration for Federal Employment Optional Form (OF) 306 is completed by applicants who are under consideration for Federal or Federal contract employment. It collects information about an applicant’s selective service registration, military service, and general background. The information collected on this form is mainly used to determine a person’s acceptability for Federal and Federal contract employment, and his or her retirement status and life insurance enrollment. The information on this form may be used in conducting an investigation to determine a person’s suitability or ability to hold a security clearance, and it may be disclosed to authorized officials making similar, subsequent determinations. The OF 306 asks for personal identifying data and information about violations of the law past convictions, imprisonments, probations, parole, military court martial, delinquency on a Federal debt, Selective Service Registration, United States military service, Federal civilian or military retirement benefits received or applied for, and life insurance enrollment. The 60-day Federal Register Notice was published on August 14, 2014 (Federal Register Notices/Volume 79, Number 157, pages 47693–47694). Comments were received from an employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), an employee of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and advocacy groups National Employment Law Project (NELP), William E. Morris Institute for Justice, Civil Rights Restoration Clinic/Rogers College of Law/University of Arizona, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Fund, Inc. (LDF), and Center for Community Change (CCC). OPM accepted, with modifications, a commenter’s recommendation to add ‘Males Only’ verbiage to Item 7, Selective Service Registration instructions. OPM amended the verbiage from ‘Are you a male born after December 31, 1959?’ to ‘Were you born a male after December 31, 1959?’ OPM did not accept a commenter’s recommendation to provide additional instructions regarding the use of the blank space provided with item 16. Instructions on the form already explain the use of this area. OPM did not accept recommendations from NELP, William E. Morris Institute for Justice, Civil Rights Restoration Clinic/Rogers College of Law/University of Arizona, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, and CCC, to remove Item 9, the criminal history question, or delay presentation of the question to the applicant. Recommendations to remove or delay presentation of the question indicated that the change would provide fairness to all applicants during the hiring process. OPM did not accept this recommendation because it is not consistent with governing policies or current regulation. In accordance with 5 CFR 731.103(d), agencies may begin to determine an applicant’s suitability at any time during the hiring process. It is generally more practical and costeffective to first ensure that the applicant is eligible for the position, deemed by OPM or the Delegated Examining unit to be among the best qualified, and/or within reach of selection. However, in certain circumstances, such as filling law enforcement positions, an agency may choose to initiate a preliminary suitability review at the time of the application. We note that feedback received from federal agencies in response to a recent survey conducted by OPM revealed that that most agencies request completion of the OF 306 after the tentative offer of employment. OPM is currently conducting a review of 5 CFR part 731 regarding application of the OF 306. If it is determined that future changes to the regulation support the recommendation to delay presentation of the OF 306 to applicants, the appropriate instructional changes to the form will be made at that time. NAACP LDF recommends removal of Items 9 through 11 or to require completion of the OF 306 at the end of the hiring process, to ensure that qualified applicants with criminal records, particularly persons of color, have equal opportunities to compete for PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and obtain federal employment. In addition, NAACP LDF also questioned the timeframes required to report felonies, firearms or explosive violations, misdemeanors, and all other offenses in the past seven years; and the timeframe identified to collect military court-martial information. According to NAACP LDF, the types of prior convictions and the timeframes included in these questions are overbroad. In addition NAACP LDF indicated that the questions are duplicative of questions presented on forms required by applicants for public trust and national security positions. OPM did not accept these recommendations. In accordance with 5 CFR 731.103(d) and as explained above, agencies are provided the flexibility to determine the appropriate timing to collect information required by the OF 306. It is important to reiterate that in most situations, agencies present the OF 306 only after the conditional offer of employment is made to the applicant. In regard to the timeframe identified to collect information for items 9–11, questions as shown on the OF 306 have been carefully considered and deemed appropriate to inform assessment of suitability for Federal employment or fitness to perform work for the government under a contract. Questions 9–11 are carefully tailored for this purpose. They do not ask about arrests. Nor do they ask about charges without dispositions, except when the charges are current. They ask only about convictions, imprisonment, parole, and probation for criminal offenses within the past seven years. Seven years is a reasonable scope for questions about recent convictions, imprisonment, parole, and probation that may affect suitability or fitness to work for or on behalf of the Federal government. OPM disagrees with the comment that questions 9–11 are cumulative of questions on the Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions and the Questionnaire for National Security Positions. The OF 306 may be used for preliminary suitability screening or for making an objection to a candidate or requesting to pass over a candidate. The Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions and the Questionnaire for National Security Positions are forms used to initiate background investigations that typically occur later in the hiring process. A commenter recommended OPM add the following language to the introductory paragraph associated with questions 9, 10, and 11: ‘‘For Questions 9, 10, and 11, consideration will include assessing, at least, the nature of the crime, the time elapsed since the E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices criminal conduct occurred, and the nature of the specific job in question.’’ The instruction for questions 9 through 13 already includes an advisement that the circumstances of each event listed will be considered and in most cases, the respondent can still be considered for Federal jobs. A commenter also recommended that OPM direct agencies to afford screenedout applicants an opportunity to fully explain the circumstances of their conviction or charge in light of these factors. OPM did not accept this recommendation. OPM has already provided extensive guidance to agencies regarding suitability assessments and consideration of information collected during the hiring process; and the commenter’s reference to screen-outs appears to misconstrue the individualized nature of Federal hiring and suitability decisions. As stated in the form instructions, ‘‘In most cases you can still be considered for Federal jobs’’ if you have a conviction record. A commenter recommended OPM amend the instruction for question 11, ‘‘Are you currently under charges for any violation of the law?’’ from requiring an explanation of the violation to requiring an explanation of the charges. OPM accepted this recommendation. The wording change will help elicit truthful responses in cases where the respondent contests whether a ‘‘violation’’ actually occurred. A commenter recommended OPM highlight the instructions in Item 16, Continuation Space/Agency Optional Questions. OPM did not accept this recommendation. Instructions are provided on the form regarding the purpose of the Continuation Space/ Agency Optional Questions. OPM accepted a commenter’s recommendation to amend instructional verbiage in Item 17 to clarify that the instruction applies to individuals who are applying for a position and have not yet been selected as well as individuals who have received a tentative or condition offer of employment. This ICR requests categorizing this form as a common form. Once OMB approves the use of this common form, all Federal agencies using the form not in connection with OPM’s own use investigation may request the use of this common form without additional 60 or 30 day notice and comment requirements. At that point, each such agency will account for its number of respondents and the burden associated with the agency’s use. Analysis: Agency: Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Title: Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. OMB Number: 3206–0182. Affected Public: Applicants who are under consideration for Federal or Federal contract employment. Number of Respondents: 265,385. Estimated Time per Respondent: 15 minutes. Total Burden Hours: 66,346. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Beth Cobert, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 2015–21627 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–53–P OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Notice of Submission for Approval: Information Collection 3206–0106; Interview Survey Form, INV 10 U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: Federal Investigative Services (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other Federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a revised information collection control number 3206–0106, Interview Survey Form, INV 10. As required by 44 U.S.C. 3507, OPM is providing an additional 30 days for public comments. OPM previously solicited comments for this collection, with a 60-day public comment period, at 80 FR 34936 (June 18, 2015). DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 30, 2015. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of Personnel Management or by electronic mail to oira_submission@ omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this information collection, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Donna McLeod or by electronic mail at FISFormsComments@opm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that OPM has SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52525 submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of a revised information collection, control number 3206–0106, Interview Survey Form, INV 10. The public has an additional 30-day opportunity to comment. The Interview Survey Form, INV 10 is mailed by OPM, to a random sampling of record and personal sources contacted during background investigations when investigators have performed fieldwork. The INV 10 is used as a quality control instrument designed to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the investigative product. The form queries the recipient about the investigative procedure exhibited by the investigator, the investigator’s professionalism, and the information discussed and reported. In addition to the preformatted response options, OPM invites the recipients to respond with any other relevant comments or suggestions. The 60-day Federal Register Notice was published on June 18, 2015 (80 FR 34936). No comments were received. In addition to the revisions described in the 60-day notice, OPM proposes to make additional corrections to the accompanying Privacy Act notice. Analysis Agency: Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Title: Interview Survey Form, INV 10. OMB Number: 3206–0106. Affected Public: A random sampling of record and personal sources contacted during background investigations when investigators have performed fieldwork. Number of Respondents: 61,973. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 6 minutes. Total Burden Hours: 6,197. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Beth Cobert, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 2015–21608 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2015–130; Order No. 2683] New Postal Product Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning an additional Priority Mail International Regional Rate Boxes Contract 1 negotiated service agreement. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Agencies

U.s. Office of Personnel Management

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52523-52525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21627]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Notice of Submission for Approval: Information Collection 3206-
0182; Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306.

AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Investigative Services (FIS), U.S. Office of 
Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other 
federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval of a revised information collection, control number 
3206-0182, Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. 
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-
106), OPM is providing an additional 30 days for public comments. OPM 
previously solicited comments for this collection, with a 60-day public 
comment period, at 79 FR 47693 (August 14, 2014).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 30, 
2015. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management Budget, 725 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC

[[Page 52524]]

20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of Personnel Management 
or sent via electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to 
(202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  A copy of this information 
collection, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained 
by contacting Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel 
Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Donna 
McLeod or by electronic mail at FISFormsComments@opm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that OPM has submitted 
to OMB a request for review and clearance of a revised information 
collection, control number 3206-0182, Declaration for Federal 
Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. The public has an additional 30-day 
opportunity to comment.
    The Declaration for Federal Employment Optional Form (OF) 306 is 
completed by applicants who are under consideration for Federal or 
Federal contract employment. It collects information about an 
applicant's selective service registration, military service, and 
general background. The information collected on this form is mainly 
used to determine a person's acceptability for Federal and Federal 
contract employment, and his or her retirement status and life 
insurance enrollment. The information on this form may be used in 
conducting an investigation to determine a person's suitability or 
ability to hold a security clearance, and it may be disclosed to 
authorized officials making similar, subsequent determinations.
    The OF 306 asks for personal identifying data and information about 
violations of the law past convictions, imprisonments, probations, 
parole, military court martial, delinquency on a Federal debt, 
Selective Service Registration, United States military service, Federal 
civilian or military retirement benefits received or applied for, and 
life insurance enrollment.
    The 60-day Federal Register Notice was published on August 14, 2014 
(Federal Register Notices/Volume 79, Number 157, pages 47693-47694). 
Comments were received from an employee of the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS), an employee of the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission (EEOC), and advocacy groups National Employment Law Project 
(NELP), William E. Morris Institute for Justice, Civil Rights 
Restoration Clinic/Rogers College of Law/University of Arizona, Sargent 
Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, NAACP Legal Defense and 
Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), and Center for Community Change (CCC).
    OPM accepted, with modifications, a commenter's recommendation to 
add `Males Only' verbiage to Item 7, Selective Service Registration 
instructions. OPM amended the verbiage from `Are you a male born after 
December 31, 1959?' to `Were you born a male after December 31, 1959?' 
OPM did not accept a commenter's recommendation to provide additional 
instructions regarding the use of the blank space provided with item 
16. Instructions on the form already explain the use of this area.
    OPM did not accept recommendations from NELP, William E. Morris 
Institute for Justice, Civil Rights Restoration Clinic/Rogers College 
of Law/University of Arizona, Sargent Shriver National Center on 
Poverty Law, and CCC, to remove Item 9, the criminal history question, 
or delay presentation of the question to the applicant. Recommendations 
to remove or delay presentation of the question indicated that the 
change would provide fairness to all applicants during the hiring 
process. OPM did not accept this recommendation because it is not 
consistent with governing policies or current regulation. In accordance 
with 5 CFR 731.103(d), agencies may begin to determine an applicant's 
suitability at any time during the hiring process. It is generally more 
practical and cost-effective to first ensure that the applicant is 
eligible for the position, deemed by OPM or the Delegated Examining 
unit to be among the best qualified, and/or within reach of selection. 
However, in certain circumstances, such as filling law enforcement 
positions, an agency may choose to initiate a preliminary suitability 
review at the time of the application. We note that feedback received 
from federal agencies in response to a recent survey conducted by OPM 
revealed that that most agencies request completion of the OF 306 after 
the tentative offer of employment. OPM is currently conducting a review 
of 5 CFR part 731 regarding application of the OF 306. If it is 
determined that future changes to the regulation support the 
recommendation to delay presentation of the OF 306 to applicants, the 
appropriate instructional changes to the form will be made at that 
time.
    NAACP LDF recommends removal of Items 9 through 11 or to require 
completion of the OF 306 at the end of the hiring process, to ensure 
that qualified applicants with criminal records, particularly persons 
of color, have equal opportunities to compete for and obtain federal 
employment. In addition, NAACP LDF also questioned the timeframes 
required to report felonies, firearms or explosive violations, 
misdemeanors, and all other offenses in the past seven years; and the 
timeframe identified to collect military court-martial information. 
According to NAACP LDF, the types of prior convictions and the 
timeframes included in these questions are overbroad. In addition NAACP 
LDF indicated that the questions are duplicative of questions presented 
on forms required by applicants for public trust and national security 
positions.
    OPM did not accept these recommendations. In accordance with 5 CFR 
731.103(d) and as explained above, agencies are provided the 
flexibility to determine the appropriate timing to collect information 
required by the OF 306. It is important to reiterate that in most 
situations, agencies present the OF 306 only after the conditional 
offer of employment is made to the applicant.
    In regard to the timeframe identified to collect information for 
items 9-11, questions as shown on the OF 306 have been carefully 
considered and deemed appropriate to inform assessment of suitability 
for Federal employment or fitness to perform work for the government 
under a contract. Questions 9-11 are carefully tailored for this 
purpose. They do not ask about arrests. Nor do they ask about charges 
without dispositions, except when the charges are current. They ask 
only about convictions, imprisonment, parole, and probation for 
criminal offenses within the past seven years. Seven years is a 
reasonable scope for questions about recent convictions, imprisonment, 
parole, and probation that may affect suitability or fitness to work 
for or on behalf of the Federal government.
    OPM disagrees with the comment that questions 9-11 are cumulative 
of questions on the Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions and the 
Questionnaire for National Security Positions. The OF 306 may be used 
for preliminary suitability screening or for making an objection to a 
candidate or requesting to pass over a candidate. The Questionnaire for 
Public Trust Positions and the Questionnaire for National Security 
Positions are forms used to initiate background investigations that 
typically occur later in the hiring process.
    A commenter recommended OPM add the following language to the 
introductory paragraph associated with questions 9, 10, and 11: ``For 
Questions 9, 10, and 11, consideration will include assessing, at 
least, the nature of the crime, the time elapsed since the

[[Page 52525]]

criminal conduct occurred, and the nature of the specific job in 
question.'' The instruction for questions 9 through 13 already includes 
an advisement that the circumstances of each event listed will be 
considered and in most cases, the respondent can still be considered 
for Federal jobs.
    A commenter also recommended that OPM direct agencies to afford 
screened-out applicants an opportunity to fully explain the 
circumstances of their conviction or charge in light of these factors. 
OPM did not accept this recommendation. OPM has already provided 
extensive guidance to agencies regarding suitability assessments and 
consideration of information collected during the hiring process; and 
the commenter's reference to screen-outs appears to misconstrue the 
individualized nature of Federal hiring and suitability decisions. As 
stated in the form instructions, ``In most cases you can still be 
considered for Federal jobs'' if you have a conviction record.
    A commenter recommended OPM amend the instruction for question 11, 
``Are you currently under charges for any violation of the law?'' from 
requiring an explanation of the violation to requiring an explanation 
of the charges. OPM accepted this recommendation. The wording change 
will help elicit truthful responses in cases where the respondent 
contests whether a ``violation'' actually occurred.
    A commenter recommended OPM highlight the instructions in Item 16, 
Continuation Space/Agency Optional Questions. OPM did not accept this 
recommendation. Instructions are provided on the form regarding the 
purpose of the Continuation Space/Agency Optional Questions. OPM 
accepted a commenter's recommendation to amend instructional verbiage 
in Item 17 to clarify that the instruction applies to individuals who 
are applying for a position and have not yet been selected as well as 
individuals who have received a tentative or condition offer of 
employment.
    This ICR requests categorizing this form as a common form. Once OMB 
approves the use of this common form, all Federal agencies using the 
form not in connection with OPM's own use investigation may request the 
use of this common form without additional 60 or 30 day notice and 
comment requirements. At that point, each such agency will account for 
its number of respondents and the burden associated with the agency's 
use.
    Analysis:
    Agency: Federal Investigative Services, U.S. Office of Personnel 
Management.
    Title: Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306.
    OMB Number: 3206-0182.
    Affected Public: Applicants who are under consideration for Federal 
or Federal contract employment.
    Number of Respondents: 265,385.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 66,346.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Beth Cobert,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-21627 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-53-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.