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The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) conducts
international activities as part of its mission as the primary
conservation agency of the United States. For more than 100 years,
DOI has conducted international activities which:
1. Facilitate DOI's domestic responsibilities, including:
managing protected areas adjacent to international borders; sharing
scientific findings, technology, and other information; protecting
migratory wildlife; and fighting cross-border fires.
2. Meet DOI's Congressional mandates such as migratory
bird preservation and elephant, rhino, and tiger protection.
3. Fulfill international U.S. treaty obligations that deal with
endangered species, wetlands, the protection of world cultural
and natural heritage, marine pollution, boundary waters.
4. Support U.S. foreign policy objectives at the request of the
White House or State Department by providing technical assistance
and scientific advice on wildlife, water, and other natural resources
(e.g., water issues in Middle East peace talks), park management,
and by addressing environmental hazards (e.g., volcano and earthquake
monitoring).
5. Support U.S. trade policy objectives and Administration and
Departmental environmental and resource management objectives
through advice and assistance to United States Trade Representative
(USTR) and the State Department on negotiation and implementation
of free trade agreements (FTAs) and associated mechanisms for
environmental cooperation.
Scope of DOI International Programs
Through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or reimbursable agreements,
DOI and its Bureaus have agreements with 75 countries to conduct
cooperative activities. DOI has the most activities within the
following countries: Mexico, Canada, Afghanistan, Central America,
Ecuador, and Tanzania. We currently have over 150 full-time employees,
most of whom are in USGS and USFWS, engaged in international activities.
DOI employees make approximately 2,500 annual trips abroad. International
programs cost about $44 million annually, with more than half
of the cost paid by the State Department and other non-DOI sources.
The Office of Policy Analysis (which reports to the Assistant
Secretary--Policy, Management, and Budget) coordinates international
activities involving more than one Bureau, approves international
travel, and is the point of contact of the State Department, embassies,
and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
The following websites provide detailed information on Bureau
international programs:
International Activities Involving the Secretary
Secretary Kempthorne, Chief of Staff to the President of Guatemala,
Carlos Fión (left), and Director of Culture for the Ministry
of Culture and Sports, Salvador Lopez (right), signed a Memorandum
of Understanding on September 12, 2006 that launched a ten-year
partnership for the conservation of significant natural and
cultural resources in Guatemala. See http://www.doi.gov/news/06_News_Releases/060912.html
Secretary Kempthorne meets with Secretary José Luis
Luege Tamargo(right), Mexican Minister of Environment and Natural
Resources and Mexican Ambassador Carlos de Icaza (left) on June
27, 2006 to discuss future cooperation along our shared border.
 
Interior Deputy Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett and Undersecretary
Felipe Adrian Vasquez of the Ministry for Environment and Natural
Resources of Mexico officially
designated seven Sister Parks during the 2006 U.S.-Mexico
Bi-National Commission.
Other International Sites of Interest
 International
Technical Assistance Program (ITAP)
DOI's international program provides technical assistance to
developing countries on subjects of Departmental expertise on
a reimbursable basis.
 U.S.-Mexico
Border Field Coordinating Committee
The DOI committee which coordinates the activities
of the DOI technical Bureaus along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Job Opportunities in International Offices
DOI staff working on international issues have professional education
and experience relevant to the particular area of expertise of
the Bureaus, (e.g., geologists, cartographers, hydrologists, engineers,
biologists, etc.). In those cases when position vacancies are
open to non-government or non-DOI applicants, they can be found
at the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management website.
J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendations
Except in support of current DOI employees, the Department does
not act as an Interested Government Agency for J-1 Visa waiver
applications. DOI employees should contact their Bureau International
Office for additional information.
U.S. Department of the Interior
International Affairs
http://www.doi.gov/intl
Please direct site comments to Kathryn Washburn,
Director, International Affairs at kwashburn@ios.doi.gov
Last updated on 3/15/07
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