Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 9/8/99
Series: Organization
Part 130: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Chapter 12: Field Organization
Originating Office: Office of Audit and Evaluation
130 DM 12
12.1 Field Organization. Within the Bureau of Indian Affairs there are 12 Regional Offices responsible for all programs except education and law enforcement; 24 education offices and 2 post-secondary institutions responsible for education activities; and 5 law enforcement districts. Subordinate to the Regional Offices are agency offices, subagency offices, field offices, and irrigation project offices. Subordinate to the education offices are Bureau-operated schools and peripheral dormitories. Subordinate to the law enforcement districts are law enforcement field offices.
12.2 Regional Offices. Each Regional Office, under the direction of a Regional Director, is responsible for all Bureau activities, except education and law enforcement, within its geographical jurisdiction. The typical Regional Office includes staff specialists in several or all Bureau program areas including tribal government, human services, community development, resources management, and trust services. Within the regional boundaries, Directors are responsible for representing the Bureau in its interaction with tribal, State and local governments, other Federal agencies, and the public; directing and assisting in the application and implementation of overall policies and programs by agency and field offices; providing technical advice and review, evaluating performance, and coordinating those features of Bureau programs which extend beyond the jurisdiction of a single agency or field office; recommending to the Central Office revisions of policies, programs, procedures, and regulation; and performing functions of an administrative and housekeeping nature which can be done most efficiently at that location.
12.3 Agency Offices are subordinate to the Regional Office and with the exception of the five agencies in the Navajo Region are under the supervision of a Superintendent. Agencies are responsible for direct program services in at least two program areas on one or more reservations. Within its geographic jurisdiction, the agency under the supervision of the Superintendent represents the BIA in interactions with local tribal governing bodies, municipal and county governments, other Federal agencies, and with the general public. The Agency Superintendent, assisted by one or more specialists, directs and supervises the operation of programs administered by the BIA and monitors, supports, and provides technical assistance to the tribal governments when an agency program or programs are administered under self-determination awards. Agency Program personnel in the five Navajo Region agencies (Chinle, Eastern Navajo, Fort Defiance, Shiprock, and Western Navajo) are under the supervision of their respective program division heads located in the Navajo Regional Office. Intergovernmental activities in the Navajo Region are performed by the Regional Director.
12.4 Subagency Offices are subordinate to the agency and, under the supervision of a Subagency Superintendent, are responsible for direct program services in one or more program areas operated within a limited geographic portion of the agency's overall jurisdiction. Subagency Superintendents are assisted by one or more specialists.
12.5 Field Offices are subordinate to the Regional Office and are responsible for one or more program areas or fulfill one or more of the following functions: Trust Officer, Self-Determination Officer, or Regional Director's representative. Field offices conduct their activities, programs, or functions within the geographic jurisdiction of a single region.
9/8/99 #3283
Replaces 10/23/92 #2959