Department of Interior (DOI) is the United State's primary conservation agency; its responsibilities are vast. According to their Web site (www.doi.gov), the DOI's mission is to "protect America's treasures for future generations, provide access to our nation's natural and cultural heritage, offer recreation opportunities, honor our trust responsibilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives and our responsibilities to island communities, conduct scientific research, provide wise stewardship of energy and mineral resources, foster sound use of land and water resources, and conserve and protect fish and wildlife."

Once known as the department "of everything else," the DOI works hard to preserve places like Independence Hall and Gettysburg, as well as natural treasures like the Grand Canyon and Mount Rainier.

These tasks are accomplished through eight bureaus: Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

DOI requires a workforce of thousands of dedicated people to accomplish its goals: over 73,000 employees and 200,000 volunteers work at approximately 2,400 locations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and associated states. DOI has a $16.5 billion total annual budget and raises more than $6.3 billion in revenues collected from energy, mineral, grazing, timber, recreation, land sales and more.

Goals for a Better America

On March 3, 1849, a bill was passed to create a separate department to handle the U.S.'s internal affairs. The DOI began working toward its five major goals. They are:

• Resource protection—protecting the nation's natural, cultural and heritage resources.


• Resource use—Managing resources to promote responsible use and sustain a dynamic economy.


• Recreation—Providing recreation opportunities for Americans.


• Serving Communities—Safeguarding lives, property and assets, advancing scientific knowledge and improving the quality of life for communities.


• Management Excellence—Managing the Department to be highly skilled, accountable, modern, functionally integrated, citizen-centered and result-oriented.

Careers With DOI

The U.S. Department of Interior has jobs in almost every field imaginable. Log onto to www.doi.gov/doijobs/employ3.html for a list of primary occupations within the Department. For online information on current DOI job openings, go to www.doi.gov/doijobs/jobs.html. Here you can search by department or bureau, location, occupational series, salary range and more.

You can also check out the DOI University's Leadership & Intern Programs. These programs help foster career development for future DOI leaders at all levels. According to the DOI Web site, "The Government-wide Acquisition Management Intern Program, Office of the Secretary Management Intern Program and the Financial Management Career Intern Program offer enhanced development opportunities for high potential future leaders. Entry and mid-level leadership development training provides high potential employees with the necessary skills to transition to supervisory and leadership roles. Emphasis is placed on the development of core competencies throughout each of DOI University's leadership and intern programs." Find out more about these opportunities at www.doi.gov/doijobs/employ5.html.