Employment

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. Additional Local Government Authority 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

Visit here for more information: https://www.uregina.ca/cce/career-development/business-management/lga.html

OR

A Diploma in Municipal Administration from Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Additional information regarding the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Municipal Administration Diploma can be found by contacting:


Saskatchewan Polytechnic – School of Business
https://saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/Business-Diploma.aspx

 

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 another level of acceptable post-secondary educational certification, as approved by the Rural Board of Examiners. Applicants are
also required to have completed one year of satisfactory service/in-office training/mentoring (1800 hours) working in a rural municipality in Saskatchewan. The Board of Examiners requires that the one year term of service working in a rural municipal office must be under the direction of a qualified administrator possessing a minimum of a “Class A” Rural Municipal Administrator Certification. 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. Candidates must have also been employed in the position of the administrator from the office they are applying from for two complete calendar years 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 rural municipal administration inspector.

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. Candidates must have also been employed in the position of the administrator from the office they are applying from for three complete calendar years. Performance reports are secured from the auditor, the reeve and the rural municipal administration inspector. 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 wishing 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 updated weekly on the
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) website, as well as many other local and provincial employment sites.

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 Pension Plan (MEPP) 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, or the Saskatchewan Polytech School of Business. For additional general information regarding employment opportunities, contact any rural municipal administrator.