Land Titles Analyst

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: Legal Assistants and Paralegals in Law Firms (4211.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Paralegal and Related Occupations (E211) 
• 2011 NOC: Paralegal and related occupations (4211) 

In general, land titles analysts:

• determine whether or not land-related documents can be registered under the provisions of the Land Titles Act (PDF) and other legislation
• determine whether transfers, mortgages, caveats, liens, transmissions, leases, writs, easements and other documents conform to the appropriate legislation, and ensure that all other required documents are either on record or accompany the document to be registered
• accept documents for registration and assess the appropriate fees, or prepare a rejection notice explaining why the documents are not acceptable
• ensure that all appropriate data is entered to create new title records or to update existing ones

While some of the tasks are repetitive, all of the above duties carry responsibility.

Land titles analysts use computers and the Alberta Land Titles Automation (ALTA) system. They work 36.25 hours a week, Monday through Friday, in busy regional office environments located in Edmonton or Calgary. In Edmonton, analysts are offered compressed work week options in which they may work slightly more than 8 hours per day to receive 1 day off every second week.

Land titles analysts need to possess:

• analytical and research skills
• attention to detail
• the ability to work independently, with minimal surepvision
• the ability to communicate well.

They should enjoy work that is secure, follows a predictable routine and requires a high degree of accuracy.

Land titles analysts are hired through a 6-month internship program that includes a training and development period. Interns are expected to gain an understanding of the effects of legal documents, exercise sound judgment and display a high level of accuracy and strong decision-making ability.

This occupation has 4 levels of responsibility. In the entry level, successful interns are given further training on the job, then enrolled in an in-house intermediate paralegal training program that consists of about 20 hours of classroom instruction spread over several weeks.

Land titles analysts remain at the entry level for a minimum of 1 year. At that point, provided they have successfully completed the training program and their job performance is satisfactory, they may be promoted to the full working level. At the full working level, they are eligible to enrol in an advanced paralegal training program in which they study cases related to land titles.

After a minimum of 2 years at the full working level and completion of the advanced training program, land titles analysts may progress to the advanced working level.

Beyond the advanced working level, land titles analysts may progress to the supervisory level, but advancement opportunities are limited.