After more than two years of a vacancy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is finally looking for someone to serve as director of the agency's regional office in Eastern Oklahoma.

Jeanette Hanna, a member of the Seminole Nation, was named to the post in May 2002. But she was placed on leave in November 2009 for unexplained reasons and has been on detail to the BIA's central office in Washington, D.C., for an unusually lengthy period of time.

"We don't comment on personnel issues with our employees," BIA spokesperson Nedra Darling said.

Tribal leaders in Eastern Oklahoma have complained to outgoing Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk about the vacancy. They say the lack of a permanent person has affected their ability to receive services.

Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker said the BIA has spent $850,000 to keep Hanna in DC. She is working directly for Echo Hawk.

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Job Title:Regional Director - Eastern Oklahoma (USA Jobs)

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