80 FR 52523 - Notice of Submission for Approval: Information Collection 3206-0182; Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306.

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 168 (August 31, 2015)

Page Range		52523-52525
FR Document		2015-21627

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).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52523-52525]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].

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

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices 52523

Week of September 7, 2015—Tentative The schedule for Commission 1. Proposed FY 2017 Budget
meetings is subject to change on short 2. Finance Project—Pakistan
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
notice. For more information or to verify 3. Finance Project—India
9:25 a.m. Affirmation Session (Public the status of meetings, contact Glenn 4. Finance Project—South Africa
Meeting)—Tentative. Ellmers at 301–415–0442 or via email at
(a) Final Rule: Hearing on Challenges Glenn.Ellmers@nrc.gov. 5. Finance Project—South Africa
to the Immediate Effectiveness of 6. Minutes of the Closed Session of the
* * * * *
Orders (10 CFR parts 2 and 150; The NRC Commission Meeting June 11, 2015 Board of Directors
RIN 3150–AJ27). (Tentative). Schedule can be found on the Internet Meeting
(b) DTE Electric Co. (Fermi Nuclear at: http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ 7. Reports
Power Plant, Unit 2), Applicant’s public-meetings/schedule.html. 8. Pending Projects
Appeal of LBP–15–5 (Mar. 3, 2015). * * * * * CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
(Tentative). The NRC provides reasonable Information on the meeting may be
This meeting will be webcast live at accommodation to individuals with obtained from Catherine F. I. Andrade at
the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. disabilities where appropriate. If you (202) 336–8768, or via email at
9:30 a.m. Briefing on Project AIM 2020 need a reasonable accommodation to Catherine.Andrade@opic.gov.
(Public Meeting) (Contact: Karen participate in these public meetings, or Dated: August 27, 2015.
Fitch: 301–415–7358). need this meeting notice or the Catherine F. I. Andrade,
This meeting will be webcast live at transcript or other information from the
Corporate Secretary, Overseas Private
the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. public meetings in another format (e.g. Investment Corporation.
braille, large print), please notify
Thursday, September 10, 2015 Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability
[FR Doc. 2015–21598 Filed 8–27–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3210–01–P
9:30 a.m. Briefing on NRC Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, by
International Activities (Closed— videophone at 240–428–3217, or by
Ex. 1 & 9). email at Kimberly.Meyer-Chambers@
nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for
Week of September 14, 2015—Tentative U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
reasonable accommodation will be
There are no meetings scheduled for MANAGEMENT
made on a case-by-case basis.
the week of September 14, 2015. * * * * * Notice of Submission for Approval:
Week of September 21, 2015—Tentative Members of the public may request to Information Collection 3206–0182;
receive this information electronically. Declaration for Federal Employment,
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 If you would like to be added to the Optional Form (OF) 306.
Discussion of Management and distribution, please contact the Nuclear
Personnel Issues (Closed—Ex. 2 & Regulatory Commission, Office of the AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel
6). Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301– Management.
415–1969), or email ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for
Thursday, September 24, 2015 Brenda.Akstulewicz@nrc.gov or comments.
9:30 a.m. Strategic Programmatic Patricia.Jimenez@nrc.gov.
Overview of the New Reactors Dated: August 27, 2015. SUMMARY: The Federal Investigative
Business Line (Public Meeting) Glenn Ellmers, Services (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel
(Contact: Donna Williams: 301– Management (OPM) is notifying the
Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary.
415–1322). general public and other federal
[FR Doc. 2015–21641 Filed 8–27–15; 4:15 pm]
This meeting will be webcast live at agencies that OPM is seeking Office of
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. Management and Budget (OMB)
approval of a revised information
Week of September 28, 2015—Tentative collection, control number 3206–0182,
Monday, September 28, 2015 OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT Declaration for Federal Employment,
CORPORATION Optional Form (OF) 306. As required by
1:30 p.m. NRC All Employees Meeting
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
(Public Meeting), Marriott Bethesda Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
(Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35),
North Hotel, 5701 Marinelli Road,
TIME AND DATE: Thursday, September 17, as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act
Rockville, MD 20852.
2015, 2 p.m. (OPEN Portion). (Pub. L. 104–106), OPM is providing an
Thursday, October 1, 2015 2:15 p.m. (Closed Portion) additional 30 days for public comments.
9:00 a.m. Strategic Programmatic PLACE: Offices of the Corporation, OPM previously solicited comments for
Overview of the Decommissioning Twelfth Floor Board Room, 1100 New this collection, with a 60-day public
and Low-Level Waste and Spent York Avenue NW., Washington, DC. comment period, at 79 FR 47693
Fuel Storage and Transportation (August 14, 2014).
STATUS: Meeting OPEN to the Public
Business Lines (Public Meeting); from 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. DATES: Comments are encouraged and
(Contact: Damaris Marcano: 301– Closed portion will commence at 2:15 will be accepted until September 30,
415–7328). p.m. (approx.) 2015. This process is conducted in
accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

This meeting will be webcast live at MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. 1. President’s Report ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
2. Minutes of the Open Session of the invited to submit written comments on
Week of October 5, 2015—Tentative June 11, 2015 Board of Directors the proposed information collection to
There are no meetings scheduled for Meeting the Office of Information and Regulatory
the week of October 5, 2015. FURTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED Affairs, Office of Management Budget,
* * * * * (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC 2:15 P.M.): 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices 52525

criminal conduct occurred, and the Title: Declaration for Federal submitted to OMB a request for review
nature of the specific job in question.’’ Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306. and clearance of a revised information
The instruction for questions 9 through OMB Number: 3206–0182. collection, control number 3206–0106,
13 already includes an advisement that Affected Public: Applicants who are Interview Survey Form, INV 10. The
the circumstances of each event listed under consideration for Federal or public has an additional 30-day
will be considered and in most cases, Federal contract employment. opportunity to comment. The Interview
the respondent can still be considered Number of Respondents: 265,385. Survey Form, INV 10 is mailed by OPM,
for Federal jobs. Estimated Time per Respondent: 15 to a random sampling of record and
A commenter also recommended that minutes. personal sources contacted during
OPM direct agencies to afford screened- Total Burden Hours: 66,346. background investigations when
out applicants an opportunity to fully U.S. Office of Personnel Management. investigators have performed fieldwork.
explain the circumstances of their Beth Cobert, The INV 10 is used as a quality control
conviction or charge in light of these Acting Director. instrument designed to ensure the
factors. OPM did not accept this [FR Doc. 2015–21627 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] accuracy and integrity of the
recommendation. OPM has already BILLING CODE 6325–53–P
investigative product. The form queries
provided extensive guidance to agencies the recipient about the investigative
regarding suitability assessments and procedure exhibited by the investigator,
consideration of information collected OFFICE OF PERSONNEL the investigator’s professionalism, and
during the hiring process; and the MANAGEMENT the information discussed and reported.
commenter’s reference to screen-outs In addition to the preformatted response
appears to misconstrue the Notice of Submission for Approval: options, OPM invites the recipients to
individualized nature of Federal hiring Information Collection 3206–0106; respond with any other relevant
and suitability decisions. As stated in Interview Survey Form, INV 10 comments or suggestions.
the form instructions, ‘‘In most cases The 60-day Federal Register Notice
you can still be considered for Federal AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel was published on June 18, 2015 (80 FR
jobs’’ if you have a conviction record. Management. 34936). No comments were received. In
A commenter recommended OPM ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for addition to the revisions described in
amend the instruction for question 11, comments. the 60-day notice, OPM proposes to
‘‘Are you currently under charges for SUMMARY: Federal Investigative Services make additional corrections to the
any violation of the law?’’ from (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel accompanying Privacy Act notice.
requiring an explanation of the violation Management (OPM) is notifying the
to requiring an explanation of the Analysis
general public and other Federal
charges. OPM accepted this Agency: Federal Investigative
agencies that OPM is seeking Office of
recommendation. The wording change Management and Budget (OMB) Services, U.S. Office of Personnel
will help elicit truthful responses in approval of a revised information Management.
cases where the respondent contests Title: Interview Survey Form, INV 10.
collection control number 3206–0106, OMB Number: 3206–0106.
whether a ‘‘violation’’ actually occurred. Interview Survey Form, INV 10. As
A commenter recommended OPM Affected Public: A random sampling
required by 44 U.S.C. 3507, OPM is of record and personal sources
highlight the instructions in Item 16,
providing an additional 30 days for contacted during background
Continuation Space/Agency Optional public comments. OPM previously
Questions. OPM did not accept this investigations when investigators have
solicited comments for this collection, performed fieldwork.
recommendation. Instructions are with a 60-day public comment period,
provided on the form regarding the Number of Respondents: 61,973.
at 80 FR 34936 (June 18, 2015). Estimated Time Per Respondent: 6
purpose of the Continuation Space/
DATES: Comments are encouraged and minutes.
Agency Optional Questions. OPM
will be accepted until September 30, Total Burden Hours: 6,197.
accepted a commenter’s
2015. This process is conducted in U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
recommendation to amend instructional
accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
verbiage in Item 17 to clarify that the Beth Cobert,
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
instruction applies to individuals who Acting Director.
are applying for a position and have not invited to submit written comments on
[FR Doc. 2015–21608 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am]
yet been selected as well as individuals the proposed information collection to
BILLING CODE P
who have received a tentative or the Office of Information and Regulatory
condition offer of employment. Affairs, Office of Management Budget,
This ICR requests categorizing this 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC
20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
form as a common form. Once OMB
approves the use of this common form, Office of Personnel Management or by [Docket No. CP2015–130; Order No. 2683]
all Federal agencies using the form not electronic mail to oira_submission@
in connection with OPM’s own use omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–6974. New Postal Product
investigation may request the use of this FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
common form without additional 60 or copy of this information collection, with
ACTION: Notice.
30 day notice and comment applicable supporting documentation,
requirements. At that point, each such may be obtained by contacting Federal SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

agency will account for its number of Investigative Services, U.S. Office of recent Postal Service filing concerning
respondents and the burden associated Personnel Management, 1900 E Street an additional Priority Mail International
with the agency’s use. NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Regional Rate Boxes Contract 1
Analysis: Donna McLeod or by electronic mail at negotiated service agreement. This
Agency: Federal Investigative FISFormsComments@opm.gov. notice informs the public of the filing,
Services, U.S. Office of Personnel SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This invites public comment, and takes other
Management. notice announces that OPM has administrative steps.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Document Created: 2018-02-23 11:04:09
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 11:04:09

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		30-Day Notice and request for comments.
Dates		Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 30, 2015. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
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 [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 52523