Chief Administrative Officer
Chief administrative officers manage the affairs of municipalities including cities, counties, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts and specialized municipalities.
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Avg. Salary $154,827.00
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Avg. Wage $81.53
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Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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In Demand Lower
Also Known As
Local Government Manager, Municipal Administrator
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
24%
24%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
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Certification Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
NOC & Interest Codes
The Chief Administrative Officer is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Senior Government Managers and Officials
NOC code: 0012
- DIRECTIVE
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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
- METHODICAL
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Interest in ensuring systems and procedures are developed and implemented to provide budgetary controls
- social
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Interest in negotiating with senior government committees to formulate programs and procedures for the organization
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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.
Duties
Updated Apr 19, 2017
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.
Working Conditions
Updated Apr 19, 2017
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Apr 19, 2017
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.
Educational Requirements
Updated Apr 19, 2017
Chief administrative officers come from various academic backgrounds, including:
- public administration
- business administration
- engineering
- accounting
- urban planning
- recreation administration.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Apr 19, 2017
Local Government Manager
Local government managers administer the affairs of municipalities including cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts and specialized municipalities.
Legislation
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.
Education
Registration requires:
- completion of the Local Government Certificate Program and the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration Level II from the University of Alberta, or equivalency as approved by the Examination Board in Local Government Management
- at least 5 years of experience in local government management in Canada.
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact the regulatory organization below.
Working in Alberta
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.
Contact Details
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
Employment & Advancement
Updated Apr 19, 2017
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.
Wage & Salary
Updated Apr 19, 2017
Chief administrative officers' salaries vary greatly depending on the size and operations of the municipality.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $32.97 | $96.15 | $67.75 | $65.02 |
| Overall | $34.19 | $122.24 | $81.53 | $82.07 |
| Top | $37.50 | $131.42 | $86.73 | $85.45 |
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.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
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.
Industry Information
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
24%
24%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
30%
30%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
2015 Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Science
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Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Management and Marketing
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Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Legal Studies
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Business, Management and Administrative Studies
- Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Apr 19, 2017
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, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 20, 2017. 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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