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Civil service executive officer

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Administration, business and management
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Career outlook for civil service executive officer

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£28,000

Experienced

£49,000

Currently employed in Scotland

14,800

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would help to provide important services to the public. Make fair and informed decisions and explain government policies to the public.

You could work in any of the Scottish Government directorates and agencies that develop and implement government policies, for example:

  • Communities Directorate
  • Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorate
  • Finance Directorate
  • Creative Scotland
  • Education Scotland
  • Forestry Commission Scotland

Depending on the directorate or the agency you worked for you would:

  • Manage, motivate train a team of administrative officers
  • Review the team performance
  • Review individuals’ situations and assess what services a person is entitled to
  • Handle a lot of cases at once
  • Apply complex policies and procedures to deal with enquiries and complaints
  • Make decisions on individual cases
  • Update records on computer systems and databases
  • Prepare and present reports

You might train in a specific area of work such as tax or immigration control.

Working conditions

Hours

You would normally work around 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Most departments work standard office hours, although some may use a flexitime system. In some departments you may be required to work on a shift basis which would include evenings, weekends and public holidays. Part-time work and job sharing are common.

Environment

You would be office-based.

Travel

There may be some travel to attend meetings, training courses and visiting other organisations.

UK employment status

Full-time

58%

Part-time

41%

Self employed

1%

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  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Observation
  • Attention to detail
  • Sorting
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management
  • Reliable
  • Making decisions
  • Motivating others

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

Each Civil Service department or agency sets its own entry requirements.

Depending on the role, you may be asked for qualifications at:

  • SCQF levels 4 to 6
  • a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7)
  • a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8)
  • a degree (SCQF level 9/10).

If you have at least a second-class degree in any subject (SCQF level 10), you could apply to the Graduate Fast Stream programme. This is a training scheme that leads to senior management posts. Your degree can be in any subject, although some departments may prefer degrees in subjects that are relevant to their work, for example, science and engineering departments.

Useful subjects

  • English (usually required)
  • Maths
  • Business
  • Administrative
  • ICT
  • Languages
  • Social subjects

You will also need

All jobs are open to British nationals and many are also open to Commonwealth citizens or nationals of the member states of the European Economic Area. See the Civil Service website for more information. 

You would be expected to have relevant experience, such as experience managing people.

As part of the Civil Service reform you would also be assessed on skills, knowledge and behaviours or ‘competencies’ that fit in with the values of the Civil Service. The competencies that are required for each job role are shown on the job advert. 

 

Explore more information about this job

Government UK - Information on working for the Civil Service