Certification Awards

BACKGROUND

At the May 1, 1986 Annual Meeting of the A.M.A.N.B., a resolution was passed accepting in principle the position paper on Professional Certification prepared by the Education Committee:

RESOLUTION REGARDING PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Whereas the ultimate goal of the AMANB is to continue upgrading professional skills of our members so that the level of municipal services will continue to be enhanced;

Be it resolved that the AMANB extend approval in principle to the report of the Education sub-committee on Professional Certification subject to the refinement of the criteria with respect to Educational requirements and eligibility.

Be it resolved that in the further refinement of criteria the Certification sub-committee be expanded to include representation from cities, towns and villages to adequately reflect the views of the membership.

Be it further resolved that the Professional Certification sub-committee be given the mandate to prepare a final document for consideration at the next general meeting of the Association.

CARRIED

Subsequent to the Annual Meeting, the Executive of the Association established a Professional Certification committee.

PROCESS

In order to fulfil the mandate of the resolution, "to adequately reflect the views of the membership", meetings were held in regions throughout the Province in 1988 and 1989. The purpose of the meetings was to gain feedback from the membership on the position paper as well as other issues related to Professional Certification.

In addition to regional meetings, it was agreed that certain "research" functions be carried out by committee members individually, instead of having the whole committee address all the issues. The following issues were addressed.

1. Education Requirements; 2. Work Experience and Levels of Certification;
3. Administration/Constitution; and 4. "Grandfathering".

REPORT

BASIC STRUCTURE

Recognizing that the A.M.A.N.B. membership is diversified with administrative positions at varying levels with differing degrees of responsibility in villages, towns and cities, it was decided that 3 levels of Certification would be appropriate.

The level of Certification is dependent on both the work experience and the level of education obtained.

1 - EDUCATION

LEVEL I: To achieve Level I, the following minimum is required:

LEVEL II: To achieve Level II, the following minimum is required:

1. Degree in Political Science or Public Administration from a recognized university; or

2. Level II Certificate in Public Administration, U.N.B.; or

3. Certificate in Public Administration, Dalhousie University; or

4. Four year certificate program in Municipal Administration (Henson College MAP); or

5. Diploma In Public Management (Henson College); two-year advanced program.

6. National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NACLAA) Level II

Or Equivalent*

LEVEL III: To achieve Level III, the following minimum is required:

Masters degree in Political Science or Public Administration; or

Degree in Political Science or in Public Administration or the Diploma in Public Management (Henson College): with 10 years or more experience in the present position of responsibility (or equivalent) in the New Brunswick municipal field.

Or Equivalent*

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EQUIVALENCY

It is recognized that there are other educational programs, which although not listed in this report, could be considered as either full or partial credit. Various courses will have to be evaluated and approved by the Certification Committee in order to receive credit toward each level. As this is done, a catalogue of such courses could be prepared to give the membership an idea of the types of courses, seminars, etc. acknowledged by the "Certification Committee" and their corresponding credit values.

The Committee must continue to monitor courses or programs and should work to ensure the development of additional courses as the needs of the professional group expand.

2 - EXPERIENCE

Experience in the New Brunswick municipal field will be evaluated on a point system to determine the level of Certification that may be attained by an applicant in his/her present position of responsibility (or equivalent). Responsibilities are divided into three main functions: decision-making, financial administration and general administration.

There presently are "groups" implied in the legal designation of municipalities (cities, towns and villages); however, this structure fails to establish groupings that exhibit any degree of uniformity based on any criterion. The groups of municipalities established for the unconditional grant formula attempt to combine the most significant factors of municipalities in New Brunswick. Classes have been established based on similarities in population, net budget per capita, services and "urban character".

Municipal groupings under the Unconditional Grant Formula are used in the Certification process. Attached as Schedule "A" is a schedule detailing the criteria and point allocations for the four groups of municipalities.

3 - ADMINISTRATION

For processing of applications and ongoing review of criteria established for Certification,   and the academic sector.

This committee would be responsible for receiving and processing applications, recommending to the Board of Directors bestowal of Certification and a continual review of the program to ensure that the needs of the membership are being met.

Based on a recommendation from the Certification Review Committee to the Annual General Meeting on June 7, 2007, it was agreed that, at the discretion of the Committee, an interview may be required.

4 - ELIGIBILITY

In the two (2) consecutive years prior to applying for Certification, the applicant must be a member in good standing of the Association of Municipal Administrators of New Brunswick, and in present position of responsibility.

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SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE

Please complete and return the application form prior to April 19, 2010 to:

Association of Municipal Administrators of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 30044, 1040 Prospect Plaza RPO
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 0H8
Attn: Eva Turnbull, Registrar
Telephone: (506) 453-4229
Fax: (506) 444-5452

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Contact Us

Eva Turnbull, Executive Director
Association of Municipal Administrators of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 30044
1040 Prospect Plaza RPO
Fredericton, NB, E3B 0H8
Telephone: (506) 453-4229
Fax: (506) 444-5452
E-mail: amanb@nb.aibn.com