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Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Bylaw enforcement officers work for municipalities (such as counties, towns, and cities) to enforce local bylaws. Some may also be appointed as special constables (community peace officers). They enforce certain provincial statutes in their areas.

Also Known As

Animal Control Officer, Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), Municipal Enforcement Officer, Public Safety and Enforcement Officer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 6463.2: By-law Enforcement Officers

2006 NOC-S

  • G623: Bylaw Enforcement and Other Regulatory Officers, n.e.c.

2011 NOC

  • 4423: By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c.

2016 NOC

  • 4423: By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c.

2021 NOC

  • 43202: By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers

2023 OaSIS

  • 43202.02: By-law enforcement officers
Duties
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Bylaw enforcement officers’ work varies widely from one municipality to another. In smaller areas, a bylaw enforcement officer may look after a range of bylaws. These could include traffic control, parking, animal control, business licensing, and weed control. In larger centres, they may specialize in checking and enforcing specific bylaws.

In general, bylaw enforcement officers:

  • Conduct inspections and respond to complaints from citizens and businesses
  • Encourage people to comply with bylaws by talking to them
  • Interpret municipal bylaws and provincial and federal regulations
  • Explain legislation to the public, city administration, and other agencies
  • Issue orders to correct problems, such as unsightly property
  • Fix problems when orders are not followed by arranging for work to be done and billed to the property owner
  • Issue violations, traffic tags, or summonses and subpoenas, and prepare related legal documents
  • Keep records
  • Use specialized equipment related to specific bylaws (for example, weights and measures, noise level instruments, auto samplers for taking chemical samples)
  • Investigate bylaw offences to prepare for court
  • Appear in court and give testimony related to cases of bylaw offenders
  • Work with other enforcement agencies including peace officers and police officers

The municipalities that hire bylaw enforcement officers define the powers they may use on the job under the Municipal Government Act. A municipality may apply to the Government of Alberta to have a bylaw enforcement officer appointed as a special constable, such as a community peace officer.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Bylaw enforcement officers may work shifts that include evenings and weekends. They work in all weather conditions. Other working conditions vary depending on which bylaws officers enforce. For example, bylaw enforcement officers may have to deal with aggressive animals.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

By-law enforcement officers
2023 OaSIS: 43202.02

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Bylaw enforcement officers need:

  • Good judgment
  • Communication skills
  • Conflict-resolution skills
  • Observation and problem-solving skills
  • Quick thinking
  • Self-motivation
  • The ability to deal with sensitive issues

They should enjoy:

  • Following policies and procedures in their work
  • Enforcing rules and dealing with people
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Minimum Education Varies

Municipalities may hire bylaw enforcement officers and train them on the job. Job applicants need:

  • A high school diploma
  • A clear criminal record check, and RCMP security clearance
  • Up to 2 years’ related experience
  • A working knowledge of the provincial court system
  • Knowledge of proper investigative and interviewing techniques
  • A valid driver’s licence with a clean driving record
  • A current Standard First Aid certificate
  • Computer skills for inputting and retrieving data
  • Customer service experience

Most employers prefer to hire bylaw enforcement officers who have a related post-secondary diploma or degree. Before enrolling in a post-secondary program, prospective bylaw enforcement officers should discuss their education options with potential employers.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Canadian Criminal Justice Academy
Medicine Hat College
Mount Royal University
NorQuest College
Red Deer Polytechnic

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Bylaw enforcement officers work for a municipality. Depending on the size of the municipality, they may work alone or in small groups. Many areas employ bylaw enforcement officers on a contract basis.

With several years of experience, bylaw enforcement officers in larger centres may advance to supervisory positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4423

78.4% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
2021 NOC: 43202
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4423
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
18
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 21, 2023

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers

2021 NOC: 43202
Average Wage
$39.84
Per Hour
Average Salary
$75,458.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.7
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 43202 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $20.91 $49.25 $35.43 $37.18
Overall $20.91 $55.40 $39.84 $40.30
Top $20.91 $61.99 $43.79 $44.38

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
38%
38%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
38%
38%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
12%
12%
Vacancy Rate
8%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Alberta Municipal Enforcement Association website: www.amea.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 21, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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