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Civil Service administrative officer

Alternative titles for this job include

Civil Service administrative officers work in government departments, carrying out policies and running services for the public.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£24,500 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a Civil Service administrative officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could take a course to give you some of the administrative skills needed for this job. Courses include:

  • Level 2 or 3 in Business Administration
  • T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

There are opportunities to do business related apprenticeships like:

  • business administration intermediate apprenticeship
  • public service operational delivery officer advanced apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could join the Civil Service as an administrative assistant. You'll usually need at least 2 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

You could then apply for a post as an administrative officer when vacancies become available.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to join the Civil Service as an administrative officer. You'll usually need at least 5 GCSEs. You may need A levels, or equivalent qualifications, for some administrative jobs.

You may also find it useful to have experience in related work like office administration or customer service.

As part of the application process, you'll be tested on your ability to:

  • work well in a team
  • communicate with others
  • work with numbers

More Information

Career tips

Movement to Work offers work experience opportunities in the Civil Service for unemployed young people.

Further information

You can find out more about working as an administrative officer from Civil Service Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on the department you work for but you may:

  • handle enquiries from the public in person, by telephone or online
  • research information
  • contact customers to follow up enquiries
  • deal with complaints
  • process benefit payments
  • update computerised and paper-based records
  • file, photocopy and do other administrative tasks
  • refer complex queries or cases to an executive officer

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you'll deal with more complex enquiries, or take on more specialist work related to your department.

With further training, you could apply to become a Civil Service executive officer.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administrator Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £9,379.50 to £18,525.00 Annually
  • Location: DRUM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CHESTER LE STREET, DURHAM

Vetting Administration Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Moulton Park
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Business Administration

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Hull

Business Administration - Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 21 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

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