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City Manager, Commissioner, Local Government Manager, Municipal Administrator
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:
| Starting | $62.74 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $75.71 |
| Top | $81.76 |
Interest in synthesizing information to approve programs; to recommend, review, evaluate and approve documents, briefs and reports submitted by middle managers and senior staff members; and to co-ordinate departmental activities with other senior government managers and officials
Interest in ensuring systems and procedures are developed and implemented to provide budgetary controls
Interest in negotiating with senior government committees to formulate programs and procedures for the organization
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
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:
Chief administrative officers participate in all meetings of the municipal council and council committees. However, they do not have the right to vote unless put on a committee and authorized to vote by council. Chief administrative officers are the liaison between a municipality’s elected council and administrative staff, and are responsible for carrying out all council directives.
Chief administrative officers usually work in an office environment. They often are required to attend evening meetings and may also attend meetings at municipal locations. Sometimes they may be required to work longer than the usual 40-hour week.
Chief administrative officers need:
They should enjoy coordinating information and making decisions, negotiating and finding innovative solutions to problems, and administering and controlling budgets.
Chief administrative officers come from various academic backgrounds, including:
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is no certification requirement to have a career as a chief administrative officer. However, it is common for municipal governments in Alberta to recruit individuals accredited as a Certified Local Government Manager, or comparable certifications based on their educational background.
Local government managers administer the affairs of municipalities including cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts and specialized municipalities.
Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (PDF). To call yourself a Certified Local Government Manager, you must be a registered member of the Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Local Government Manager.
Registration requires:
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact the regulatory organization below.
Local government managers who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if certified managers in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
Society of Local Government Managers
PO Box 308
4629 - 54 Ave.
Bruderheim, Alberta T0B 0S0
Phone: 780-796-3836
Fax: 780-796-2081
Website: www.clgm.net
In addition to a strong academic background, chief administrative officers need work experience related to:
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:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 0012: Senior government managers and officials occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Chief administrative officers' salaries vary greatly depending on the size and operations of the municipality. In Alberta, the salary of a chief administrative officer is publicly disclosed in the municipality’s annual financial statements.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $43.00 | $81.32 | $62.74 | $66.48 |
| Overall | $47.51 | $106.72 | $75.71 | $74.37 |
| Top | $50.00 | $106.72 | $81.76 | $87.37 |
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.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $142,685 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $142,272 |
Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators Association website: www.armaa.ca
Local Government Administration Association of Alberta (LGAA) website: lgaa.ab.ca
Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta website: clgm.net
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 02, 2021. 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.