School Business Official

School business officials are leaders and administrators. They may specialize in a particular area or work in several areas of public education administration:

• financial resource management (for example, prepare annual budgets and financial statements, provide financial management advice, develop and recommend financial strategies, develop technological solutions for problems, conduct internal audits, prepare grant applications)
• corporate management and administration (for example, initiate and participate in operational planning and policy development, identify and apply constitutional rights and handle other legal matters as a liaison, understand and analyze the political and legislative process related to elections, develop and manage information management systems, oversee the implementation of legislated requirements such as freedom of information and protection of privacy requirements and occupational health and safety compliance, evaluate plan and policy effectiveness for the jurisdiction)
• human resource management (for example, negotiate labour contracts, motivate staff and provide leadership, facilitate staff development, ensure compliance with labour standards, provide payroll and other human resource services)
• facility management, property acquisition and management (for example, plan and manage construction, maintenance and facility operations; manage purchasing processes for supplies, fixed assets and real estate)
• risk management (for example, develop appropriate programs, ensure adherence to legal requirements for insurance coverage, address safety and security needs)
• student transportation (for example, develop school bus routes, supervise day-to-day operations, purchase vehicles and supplies, negotiate agreements, ensure student safety) 
• public relations and communications (for example, develop and maintain positive media relations, prepare annual reports, facilitate internal and external communication).

Duties and responsibilities therefore vary considerably from one position to another and from one school jurisdiction to another.

School business officials usually work standard weekday hours in school board or jurisdiction offices. Senior officials must attend school board and public meetings, and overtime is often required to meet budget and other deadlines. Depending on the position, some travel may be required for meetings with other school jurisdictions and government departments.

School business officials need the following characteristics:

• excellent oral and written communication skills
• critical and strategic thinking, logical analysis and problem solving skills
• leadership skills and initiative
• strong people skills 
• the ability to work alone and as part of a team
• the ability to work in a political environment 
• the ability to multi-task
• commitment to life long learning
• high ethical standards.

They should enjoy directing and supervising the work of others, having clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities, and negotiating with other administrators.

School business officials are employed by school authorities. Advancement opportunities depend on the size of the school jurisdiction and the school business official's qualifications. Senior school business official positions require skills and knowledge related to most of the areas listed in the Duties section of this profile

School business officials are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0014: Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries.

• Other Services (PDF)
• Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)

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

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

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

Association of School Business Officials of Alberta website: www.asboa.ab.ca

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.