1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Civil Service executive officer

Civil Service executive officer

Alternative titles for this job include

Civil Service executive officers work in government departments that develop policies and provide services to the public.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a Civil Service executive officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could apply to join the Civil Service after doing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree, although a university qualification is not essential.

Most subjects are accepted but public administration may offer a good general introduction to this area of work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Civil Service higher or degree apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship qualification you work towards will depend on the role and business area you work in.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an administrative officer. After gaining experience, you could apply for a post as an executive officer when vacancies become available.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll be expected to have relevant work or life experience to do this.

You'll be assessed on your skills, knowledge and behaviours that fit in with the values of the Civil Service, as part of the application process.

Other Routes

If you're a graduate or in your final year of university, you can apply for a place on the Fast Stream scheme. Competition for places is very strong, so a degree with a higher grade and work experience will help you.

Your degree can be in any subject, though some Civil Service departments may prefer a degree in a subject that is relevant to their work, for example science and engineering.

More Information

Career tips

The Early Diversity and Summer Diversity Internship Programme help graduates and undergraduates from diverse and under-represented backgrounds to gain experience and an understanding of the Fast Stream scheme.

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

You can find out more about the different ways to join at Civil Service Careers.

Further information

You can get more details about how to become an executive 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:

  • customer service skills
  • administration skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • business management skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • 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

What you'll do will depend on your job role and the government department you work in. Typically, in your day to day tasks you could:

  • manage a team
  • train staff
  • apply government plans to public services
  • prepare and present reports
  • analyse data
  • communicate with the public
  • give advice to government representatives
  • manage a budget
  • handle a caseload
  • update files

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, there’s often the opportunity to apply for jobs in different departments.

There is a clear promotion structure in the Civil Service. If you’re on the Fast Stream you can expect to reach senior level in around 5 years.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Civil Service executive officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a Civil Service executive officer?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.