Administrative Assistant (AA) jobs in the Civil Service
Entry-level or junior roles, usually in administrative support or operational delivery.
Pay at AA
Below the Senior Civil Service, each department and agency sets its own pay ranges within a framework the government sets each year, so AA pay varies by department and often between London and national roles. The salary is always stated in the advert.
Behaviours expected at AA
These are the behaviours most often assessed in current AA adverts, with what the official Civil Service Behaviours framework expects for AA and AO roles:
Communicating and Influencing (95% of adverts)
Put your views forward clearly and considerately; choose the right channel for each person; use plain language and check written work for errors; listen and ask questions to make sure you understand.
Managing a Quality Service (95% of adverts)
Understand customers' needs; manage your time to deliver a high-quality service that gives taxpayers good value; prevent problems by identifying, reporting and solving issues; keep people updated.
Working Together (16% of adverts)
Contribute actively to the whole team's work; build supportive relationships; ask for help and support others; consider your own and colleagues' wellbeing; understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
See all nine Civil Service behaviours and how they're assessed.
Applying at AA
Adverts set out the essential criteria and which Success Profiles elements will be assessed. Many ask for examples of the behaviours listed. Our guides on personal statements and interview questions explain how to prepare.
Sources
- Civil Service grades and pay (Civil Service Careers)
- Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours (GOV.UK)
- Civil Service pay remit guidance 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK)
Independent information, not official advice. Pay, grades and rules vary by department and change over time, so always check the official job advert.