Street-level bureaucracy is the subset of a public agency or government institution where the civil servants work who have direct contact with members of the general public.

Lipsky views street-level bureaucrats as the necessary link between government and the needy. Since these employees are in the best position to evaluate the needs of each client, effective assistance requires that they retain con- siderable autonomy and discretion.

First, street-level bureaucrats work on the frontlines of government and interact directly with citizens.

Street level bureaucrats is the permanent government administration that focus and work directly with the public. Examples include welfare officers, police, teachers, etc. It is their job, using administrative discretion to decide what should be done in a particular situation.