Chief Administrative Officer

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: Senior Government Managers and Officials (0012) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Senior Government Managers and Officials (A012) 
• 2011 NOC: Senior government managers and officials (0012) 

Chief administrative officers are the administrative heads of municipalities. In small or sparsely populated municipalities, they may work part time. In larger municipalities, they may manage a sizable staff.

In general, chief administrative officers are responsible for:

• recommending policies and actions to the municipal council
• managing the day-to-day operations of the municipality
• promoting and maintaining good public relations
• keeping records including minutes, bylaws and accounts
• providing input into strategic planning
• carrying out the council's directives and policies
• directing the general administrative functions of the municipality, including staff supervision and purchasing procedures
• preparing budgets and managing finances
• administering human resources programs
• preparing bylaws approved by council
• ensuring that bylaws are enforced
• collecting taxes
• conducting local government elections.

In many larger municipalities, the administrator's job title is City Manager or Commissioner. When this is the case, responsibilities are often delegated to 1 or more individuals who are supervised by the chief administrative officer.

Chief administrative officers participate in all meetings of the municipal council and council committees. However, they do not have the right to vote unless appointed to a committee and authorized to vote by council.

Chief administrative officers work in an office environment. They often are required to attend evening meetings and may work longer than the usual 40-hour week.

Chief administrative officers must be able to:

• read and interpret legislation
• provide strong leadership and direction
• work well independently as well as in a team environment
• communicate their ideas effectively in person and in writing
• deal effectively with stress.

They should enjoy co-ordinating information and making decisions, negotiating and finding innovative solutions to problems, and administering and controlling budgets.

In addition to a strong academic background, chief administrative officers need work experience related to:

• management
• public relations
• finance
• administration
• law.

Those who are willing to move from one municipality to another over a number of years may acquire more responsibility and experience with each move. This may provide them with an advantage when seeking employment.

Chief administrative officers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0012: Senior government managers and officials. In Alberta, 94% of people employed in this classification work in the Public Administration (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook (PDF)in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Public Administration industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

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

Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) website: www.aamdc.com

Local Government Administration Association (LGAA) Alberta Chapter website: www.lgaa.ab.ca

Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta website: www.clgm.net

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.