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Chief Administrative Officer: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like the idea of contributing to public service, leading a multi-faceted organization, and guiding the long-term growth of a community? Would you enjoy devising strategies to address local community issues and leading a team to deliver essential public services to residents and businesses? Then a career as a chief administrative officer may be a fit for you.
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Occupations in Alberta

Chief Administrative Officer

Chief administrative officers manage the affairs of municipal governments including cities, counties, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts and specialized municipalities.

Contents View Full Profile
Also Known As

City Manager, Commissioner, Local Government Manager, Municipal Administrator

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: Senior Government Managers and Officials (0012) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Senior Government Managers and Officials (A012) 
  • 2011 NOC: Senior government managers and officials (0012) 
  • 2016 NOC: Senior government managers and officials (0012) 
  • 2021 NOC: Senior government managers and officials (00011) 
Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Senior Government Managers and Officials

2006 NOC: 0012

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

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

Interest in ensuring systems and procedures are developed and implemented to provide budgetary controls

social

Interest in negotiating with senior government committees to formulate programs and procedures for the organization

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

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 for this NOC group 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.

Learn About Interests

Duties
Updated Mar 02, 2021

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, services, and actions to the municipal council
  • Managing the day-to-day operations of the municipality
  • Promoting and maintaining good public relations
  • Preparing and 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
  • Ensuring that bylaws are enforced
  • Collecting property taxes and other revenues
  • Conducting local government elections
  • Overseeing the management of community infrastructure such as roads, water lines, and public buildings

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.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Chief administrative officers need:

  • An ability to understand and interpret legislation
  • Leadership and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to work alone or in a team
  • Communication skills
  • An ability to handle stress

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

Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Chief administrative officers come from various academic backgrounds, including:

  • Public administration
  • Business administration
  • Engineering
  • Accounting
  • Urban planning
  • Recreation administration

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

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 02, 2021
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

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 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.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Local Government Manager.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 02, 2021

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.

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.

In the 0012: Senior government managers and officials occupational group, 95.5% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

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

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.
  • 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, 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.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 02, 2021

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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Senior government managers and officials

2016 NOC: 0012
Average Wage
$85.98
Per Hour
Average Salary
$161,759.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.2
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 0012 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 [pdf] to supplement this data.

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.

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 $46.24 $110.77 $71.98 $66.23
Overall $49.18 $130.77 $85.98 $83.77
Top $54.00 $171.88 $96.33 $87.03

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
ALL INDUSTRIES $161,759
Public Administration $159,942

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
22%
22%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
20%
20%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Science
  • Business, Administration, Finance and IT
    • Management and Marketing
  • 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 Mar 02, 2021

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.

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