Peace Corps – Office of Peace Corps Response
Peace Corps Response Interview Form
OMB Control Number: 0420-xxxx
Supporting Statement
Section A: Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
The Peace Corps Response interview is necessary to assess applicants’ qualifications and eligibility to serve in Peace Corps Response. The interview is a critical point in the recruitment process, as it is the point when the applicant and the recruitment and placement specialist verbally discuss the nature of the Volunteer assignment. Eligibility requirements for Peace Corps Volunteer service are set at 22 C.F.R. 305; attached.
Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The information collected in the interview is used to determine whether an applicant would be a good candidate as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. The information obtained from this form is used by the recruitment and placement specialists within the Office of Peace Corps Response.
There is no other means of obtaining the required data, and the information gathered is not shared with outside sources or other government agencies.
Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
Peace Corps Response conducts interviews primarily over the phone, video chat, or in person. The Peace Corps Response recruitment and placement specialist takes notes during the interview, which are stored in an electronic database.
Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
Peace Corps Response interviews are specific to the Volunteer assignment for which the candidate has applied. There is no other interview for the recruitment and placement specialist to use, so there is no duplication of efforts.
If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This collection of information does not impact small business or other small entities.
Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
If Peace Corps Response were unable to conduct an interview, the program would be unable to adequately assess applicants’ eligibility, qualifications and suitability. Peace Corps Response Volunteers are representatives of the United States. An inadequately screened Peace Corps Response Volunteer may have poor performance, bad judgment or lacking qualifications. Such Volunteers may create conflict and embarrassment for the United States by attracting negative media or political attention.
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:
* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;
* in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
No special circumstances exist that require the information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
The agency’s notice was published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2014, 79 FR 49115. No
public comments were received during the 60-day period. The 30-Day notice was published
October 27, 2014, 79 FR 63962.
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts are provided to respondents.
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
All applicants selected for an interview will receive an interview confirmation email from Peace Corps Response. The body of the email will include the following text:
In
closing, I ask that you please review the following Privacy Act
statement regarding the interview:
Privacy
Act
The
Peace Corps, an agency of the federal government, is required by the
Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) to advise you of the following
information regarding this interview. The Privacy Act addresses the
federal government’s use of certain personal information in
agency files. The interview is part of the application process for
Peace Corps Response service.
A. This application is
authorized by the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) as
amended.
B.
The interview will be used is to evaluate your suitability and
qualifications to serve as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
C.
This information
may be used for the routine uses described in the Privacy Act, 5
U.S.C. 552a, and the Peace Corps' published Routine Uses, summarized
in Peace
Corps' System of Records.
D. The participation in and completion of this interview is voluntary. However, failure to participate in or to complete the interview will result in the Peace Corps being unable to assess your qualifications and may preclude your consideration for Peace Corps Response.
Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:
* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.
* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 13.
Number of interviewed applicants: 700
Frequency of response: One time
Completion time: 60 minutes
Annual burden hours: 700
Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).
* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with
generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of
capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates,
agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use 10/95
existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to
achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or
keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
Cost estimate to the respondent: $0.00
Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
Total annual cost to the Federal government per annum: $21,554
Number interviews conducted: 700
Annual burden hours: 700
60 minutes per interview
Labor cost: $21,554
700 hours/2087 hours per year = 33.5% of Recruitment and Placement Specialists’ time;
33.5% of Recruiters’ salary * $64,341 average Recruitment and Placement Specialist annual salary
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.
The interview questions form has been in use without a control number since January 2012. The Office of Peace Corps Response became aware that such a collection needed to have PRA clearance, and thus the interview questions and supporting statement was submitted in August 2014 for the 60 day Federal Register Notice publication.
For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
The results of this collection of information will not be published.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
The Agency is not seeking approval to conceal or omit the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.
Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB Form 83-I.
The agency is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I.
Section B: Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
The collection of information does not employ statistical methods.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Peace Corps – Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection |
| Author | nfull |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-25 |