Local government administrative assistant
Career outlook for local government administrative assistant
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£18,000
£18,000
Experienced
£24,500
£24,500
Currently employed in Scotland
17,300
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 support the teams who provide vital public services like schools, child protection and street cleaning. You’d make sure the office runs smoothly. You’d answer people’s enquiries and give them information about the services.
You could work with managers and teams in any local council department, for example housing, education, social services, or planning.
Depending on the department you work for, you could:
- Deal with enquiries by phone, in writing or in person
- Look up information on a computer system
- File and photocopy documents
- Produce and send letters
- Sort, record and distribute mail
- Deal with cash and payments
- Update computerised and clerical records.
You might act as a secretary or personal assistant (PA) to a manager or department and work with staff in other departments.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
54%
Part-time
45%
Self employed
1%
Create a qualification route
We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeSearch course options
Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.
Find coursesSearch job opportunities
If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.
Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Observation
- Attention to detail
- Sorting
- Developing a plan
- Time management
- Reliable
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting 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
You don't always need formal qualifications to enter this job but some employers ask for National 4/5s or occasionally Highers.
A course in administration or business may be helpful at National Certificate (SCQF level 4), National Qualification (SCQF level 4) or Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7).
Useful subjects
- English (required by most employers and courses)
- Maths
- Business subjects
- ICT subjects
- Administrative subjects
Helpful to have
It is possible to gain work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in business and administration (SVQ level 3/4/5).