Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 9/8/99
Series: Organization
Part 130: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Chapter 2: Organization Structure
Originating Office: Office of Audit and Evaluation
130 DM 2
2.1 Overall Organization. The overall organization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (see attached chart) consists of (1) a headquarters with staff in Washington, DC; Boise, ID; Portland, OR; Albuquerque and Artesia, NM; and Lakewood, CO; and (2) a field structure composed of regional offices, agencies, field offices, law enforcement districts, education offices, post-secondary institutions, and on- and off-reservation schools. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs who has responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling, and directing all activities, programs, and functions assigned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
2.2 Headquarters Organization. The headquarters organization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs has two line officers with responsibility for directing and supervising the operations of the Bureau: the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Director, Office of Indian Education Programs. Headquarters organizations also include program and administrative organizations with responsibility for technical oversight and monitoring of field activities and staff organizations with responsibility for assistance to the Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs.
2.3 Headquarters Functions. The function of headquarters components is to provide staff assistance to the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs in the exercise of management of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Headquarters components propose Bureau-wide policies, programs, budgets, and justifications; develop Bureau-wide legislative programs and reports; provide liaison with other Federal agencies and national Indian organizations; monitor and evaluate the performance of the headquarters and field establishment; participate in periodic and specific management and program reviews of field operations; and provide to field offices and tribes the specialized programmatic and functional assistance that can be economically and efficiently accomplished on a nationwide basis. The functions of Bureau headquarters organizations are described in Chapters 3 through 11.
2.4 Field Organization. The Bureau's field organization is a bifurcated structure with offices reporting to either the Commissioner of Indian Affairs or to the Director, Office of Indian Education Programs. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has responsibility for supervision and direction over regional offices, agencies, field offices, law enforcement districts. The Director, Office of Indian Education Programs, has responsibility for supervision and direction over education offices, post-secondary institutions, and on- and off-reservation schools.
2.5 Field Functions. The Bureau's field organization is responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of programs which provide services to Indian tribes and their members. Chapter 11 of this Part (130 DM 11) describes the functions assigned to the field organization under the line supervision and authority of the Office of Indian Education Programs. Chapter 12 (130 DM 12) contains a description of the field organization under the line supervision and authority of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
9/8/99 #3273
Replaces 11/21/90 #2904