Civil Service administrative officer

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

You could do a business administration course or a T Level in Management and Administration.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• search for courses|/find-a-course
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

You could do an apprenticeship like:

• Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• Civil Service apprenticeships|https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/apprenticeships/
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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.

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

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.

As an administrative officer, your day-to-day duties will depend on the department you work for.

You could:

• handle enquiries in person, by telephone or online
• research information
• schedule meetings and arrange travel
• deal with complaints
• update records
• file documents, order stationery and do other administrative tasks
• refer complex queries or cases to an executive officer

You could work in an office or from home.