Occupational Profile

iStockphoto/scyther5

Webmaster

Webmasters are responsible for the design, development, maintenance and success of Internet and intranet websites.

Avg. Salary $62,505.00
Avg. Wage $32.01
Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
Outlook Down
In Demand Lower

Also Known As

Computer Specialist, Information Technology Specialist, Internet Site Developer, Site Administrator, Web Portal Co-ordinator, World Wide Web Site Administrator

NOC & Interest Codes

The Webmaster is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Web Designers and Developers NOC 2175

Web Designers and Developers

NOC code: 2175

INNOVATIVE: Interest in analyzing information to prepare mock-ups and storyboards, to develop Web site architecture, and to design the appearance, layout and flow of Web sites
METHODICAL: Interest in precision working to test and modify Web pages and applications
DIRECTIVE: Interest in consulting with clients to develop and document Web site requirements; and in determining hardware and software requirements; may lead and co-ordinate multidisciplinary teams to develop Web site graphics, content, capacity and interactivity

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.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Duties and responsibilities vary considerably from one job to another in this occupation and there is considerable overlap with occupations such as Web Designer, Web Technician and Interactive Media Programmer. For the purposes of this profile, webmasters are defined as managers who are responsible for their organizations' websites.

In general, webmasters:

ensure that websites advance their organizations' goals
ensure optimum site performance on an ongoing basis (this often requires balancing graphic appeal against access speed requirements as well as overseeing technical activities)
promote the website within the organization and educate people about related issues and technology
develop and implement budgets for website development and maintenance
co-ordinate the work of people who do website related work (for example, web designers, web technicians)
select server or desktop environments and web development tools
set standards and procedures regarding the design and production of additions to the site
use software to generate and track site access statistics.

In large organizations, webmasters may work with a team of information specialists or a committee of representatives from various parts of the organization. In some organizations, webmasters also are responsible for developing and maintaining an intranet (an internal network similar to the Internet but accessible only to personnel within the organization).

In small organizations, webmasters may be personally responsible for everything from the initial design of the website to coding documents and monitoring site traffic and performance.

Working Conditions

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Webmasters generally work standard weekday hours in an office environment or from home. Evening and weekend work may be required for website installation and maintenance activities.

The work can be stressful when:

there are technical problems with websites or intranets
personnel from different parts of the organization have conflicting ideas about the purpose, design and content of the site or intranet
people have unrealistic expectations regarding system reliability or the frequency or speed of information updating.

Occupational hazards include eyestrain from spending long hours looking at a computer screen and repetitive movement injuries.

Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Webmasters need the following characteristics:

the ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
the ability to lead and work effectively as part of a team
the ability to pay careful attention to details
excellent organizational skills
an interest in keeping up to date with rapidly changing technology
the ability to anticipate change and make decisions in an uncertain environment.

They should enjoy co-ordinating information, negotiating with people and developing innovative solutions to problems.

Educational Requirements

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Webmasters need a combination of management and technical expertise. The specific qualifications required vary depending on the nature of the position and the employing organization but generally include an understanding of principles and current practices in:

management and administration
technical writing and graphic design
computer hardware and software systems.

Webmasters generally acquire the knowledge and skills they need through a combination of work experience and formal education. For example, an experienced marketing manager can acquire the required technical expertise through professional development activities such as attending seminars, reading extensively and working closely with other professionals (for example, graphic artists, writers, computer engineers, computer programmers, database analysts, librarians). Likewise, people educated and experienced in other occupations can acquire management related knowledge and skills through professional development activities.

Some employers require webmasters to have considerable computer expertise including a working knowledge of specific computer languages or database applications. For other positions, an overall knowledge of what is technologically possible is more important than programming skills.

Prospective webmasters should begin by taking a post-secondary program related to management and administration, computer science or web design.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Web Technologies

Mount Royal University

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Web Developer

University of Calgary

Certificate in Front-End Web Development

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Information Systems Professional

Information Systems Professional

Information systems professionals investigate, analyze, design, develop or manage information systems based on computer and related technologies through the objective application of specialized knowledge and professional judgement.

Legislation

Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.

Education

The Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) has defined the body of knowledge required for certification and recognizes the many different ways this standard may be achieved. Applicants must provide documented evidence for 1 of the following I.S.P. designation criteria routes: (1) Established Academic, (2) IT Industry Leader, (3) Established IT Professional, (4) Education Plus Experience, (5) Exam, (6) Professional Experience Only (applicants must have entered the field prior to 1976), or (7) Upgrade from Candidate Status. For official, detailed information, visit the CIPS website, CIPS Alberta website or contact CIPS Alberta.

Working in Alberta

Information systems professionals who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered professionals 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 authority (below).

Contact Details

Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta
PO Box 21085
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6R 2V4
Phone Number: 780-431-9311
Toll-free phone number: 1-844-431-9311
Fax number: 780-413-0076
E-mail: alberta@cips.ca
Website: ab.cips.ca

Employment & Advancement

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Webmasters may be employed by or work on a contract basis for organizations of all types including:

wholesale or retail businesses
large corporations
government departments
industrial establishments
consulting firms
post-secondary institutions
not-for-profit organizations.

Webmaster is a management level position requiring previous related experience. Opportunities for further advancement depend on the nature of the organization and the webmaster's qualifications.

Webmasters are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2175: Web designers and developers. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

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.

Over 1,500 Albertans are employed in the Web designers and developers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 20 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As webmasters form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for webmasters.

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

Wage & Salary

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Income figures for webmasters vary greatly depending on the scope of the position and the webmaster's training and experience. Webmasters in small, not-for-profit organizations may be volunteers.

Salaries for webmasters who have management responsibilities are generally higher than for those who do not.

Related High School Subjects

English Language Arts
Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Computing Science
- Management and Marketing
- Networking
Media, Design and Communication Arts
- Communication Technology