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Civil Service Admin. Officer

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Civil Service Admin. Officer

Civil Service Admin. Officer Career Details

Civil Service administrative officers work in a broad range of fields. Within the Civil Service there are over 170 departments, agencies and devolved administrations dealing daily with developing and implementing policies, researching and advising government ministers, and generally ensuring the smooth running of the machinery of government.

Administrative officers carry out the day-to-day clerical duties. The actual work depends on the department or agency they are based in. Duties could include:

  • using photocopiers, franking machines, fax machines and other office equipment
  • dealing with the public on the phone or in person, and replying to letters
  • researching information to answer public enquiries
  • checking and updating records both manually and on computer databases.
With experience and additional training they could deal with financial accounts, complicated enquiries or complaints, or take on more specialist work related to their department.

Working Environment

Most staff work between 35 and 40 hours a week. In departments where a service needs to be provided outside normal office hours, shift systems operate.

Many posts operate on a flexitime system and part-time and job share opportunities are available.

Most posts are office-based although some travel to external meetings, conferences or training courses may be required.

Civil Service Admin. Officer Related Skills

As a Civil Service administrative officer, you should:
  • be able to work well as part of a team
  • have good communication skills, both spoken and written
  • have good organisational and time management skills
  • have a methodical approach to work and be able to pay attention to detail
  • be able to handle confidential information responsibly
  • have basic computer and administration skills
  • be able to follow procedures and take personal responsibility for your work
  • be interested in public service.
Foreign language and numerical skills are also useful.

Civil Service Admin. Officer Career Opportunities

The Civil Service is a huge organisation employing around half a million people, making it one of the country’s largest employers.

There are structured promotion systems linked to an appraisal system and it is possible to move into a junior management post or a more specialised area of work such as accounts. Most people tend to stay in the department they were recruited into, but it is possible to apply for jobs within other departments.

Further Career Information

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Career Steps

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