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Administrators Handbook
RMAA Employment
RURAL MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR - A Challenging Career in Municipal Government
A Vocation with a Future
A rewarding vocation, with opportunity for advancement in community service, is open to persons interested in a career as a Rural Municipal Administrator. Applicants must be bondable and of the highest integrity. If you are interested in municipal administration, prefer to work in an office, enjoy meeting people and would like to make your home in the neighbourly atmosphere of a rural community, this may the career for you.
Academic Qualifications
Completion of the Certificate in Local Government Authority program through the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Regina. Courses are currently being offered as correspondence, intensive study and fully online.
OR
Additional program information may be obtained by contacting:
LGA Program Coordinator
Credit Studies Division
Centre for Continuing Education
University of Regina
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Phone: 306-585-5807
https://www.uregina.ca/cce/career-development/business-management/lga.html
Professional Qualifications
Basic Certification
A Rural “Class C” Certificate represents the basic level of qualification for employment as a rural municipal administrator in Saskatchewan. Application must be made to the Board of Examiners. Successful applicants will possess a certificate in the Local Government Authority Program or a Public Administration Diploma, and will have completed one year of satisfactory service (1800 hours) as an assistant or acting administrator in a municipality. Training time may be reduced to 400 hours for people holding specific University Degrees, including Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration and Commerce. Commencing in 2006, a number of special training offices have been established throughout the province. At these sites, a more intense training program is available, and training will be reduced from 1800 to 400 hours.
The Board of Examiners requires that the one year term of service as an assistant administrator must have been in a rural municipal office under the direction of a qualified administrator possessing a minimum of a Rural “Class A” Certificate in Local Government Administration.
A “Class C” certificate remains valid while continuously employed as an administrator, but expires after a period of five years if active municipal employment is not maintained.
Advanced Qualifications
Rural municipal administrators who have completed two or more years of continuous service may apply to the Board of Examiners for a Rural "Class A" Certificate. The "Class A" certificate is considered a permanent qualification and is granted on the basis of performance. Successful candidates must demonstrate their competency in the areas of municipal accounting, municipal law, general administration and guidance to council. A performance assessment is made on the basis of confidential reports secured from the auditor, the reeve, and a municipal administration advisor.
Superior Qualifications
The designation of "Superior A" is the highest level of qualification granted by the Board of Examiners for rural municipal administrators. Prerequisites include completion of an advanced education program approved by the Board of Examiners and five years of services as a Rural "Class A" administrator. Performance reports are secured from the auditor, the reeve and the muncipal administration advisor. Successful candidates must demonstrate a measure of excellence in their municipal work.
Desired Personal Qualities
Aside from natural abilities and those acquired through training, a rural municipal administrator should possess the following personal qualities:
- Diplomacy - the ability to deal pleasantly and tactfully with the general public.
- Conscientiousness - willingness to put the affairs of the municipality ahead of personal considerations.
- Integrity - the ability to inspire confidence and trust.
- Good judgement -the ability to make decisions and express opinions.
- Loyalty - to the municipality and the council.
Duties and Responsibilities
Unlike those of many clerical occupations, the duties of a rural municipal administrator are varied and interesting. In most rural areas the municipal office is the hub of the community. Under the authority and direction of the council the administrator's duties include responsibility for:
- Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Formulation and processing of bylaws
- Maintenance of the assessment records
- Municipal taxation procedures
- Budgeting and finance
- Election procedures
- Calling meetings and keeping minutes
- Safekeeping of all municipal records
- General office procedures
- Public relations
Employment Opportunities
Due to the retirement of municipal administrators or their movement to other fields of endeavour, openings for new people withing to enter this field of employment occur frequently. Persons interested in employment should check with their local rural municipality as to the possibility of training in that or another municipal office. Advertisements regarding employment opportunities are carried in daily and weekly newspapers.
Salaries
Salaries offered to rural municipal administrators are considered to be equal to those available in other occupations of a similar nature. Salaries generally increase with years of experience and upgrading of qualifications. Information on the current rates of salary available may be secured by contacting your local rural municipal administrator.
Benefits
All active qualified administrators are required to belong and pay dues to the Rural Municipal Administrators' Association - a professional organization. The Association works for the betterment of working conditions and benefits for its members. Membership in the Municipal Employees' Superannuation Plan provides for adequate retirement benefits and is a condition of employment.
Interested?
For information on Courses in Local Government Administration, contact the Supervisor of Extension Programs, University of Regina, and for additional general information regarding employment opportunities, contact any rural municipal administrator.
