Local government administrator

Local authority administrator job descriptions: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Administrators have a key role to play within the work of local authorities.

Duties may also include:

• writing correspondence
• filing
• answering telephone calls
• organising meetings
• producing agendas
• taking minutes
• servicing committee meetings
• helping to formulate and implement council policies
• researching and writing reports
• supervising staff
• liaising with contractors, private companies, partnerships and other organizations
• financial or accounts administration.

There are good opportunities for career progression via promotion into senior administrative and managerial roles, or movement between departments. Many local authorities also provide opportunities for employees to take the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators' examinations.

Typical employers of local government administrators

Jobs are advertised by recruitment agencies, careers services, in local, regional and national newspapers, local authority jobs lists, and relevant publications including Opportunities, TARGETjobs Public Service and Municipal Journal.

Job shadowing, networking and speculative applications are advisable, for which the Municipal Yearbook and Careers and Training in Local Government (CATLOG) may be a useful source of contact information.

Qualifications and training required

A degree in any subject is acceptable, although a legal, government and politics, business studies, management or social and public administration qualification may be helpful.

Candidates possessing relevant clerical, administrative or local government work experience are normally at an advantage.

Key skills for local government administrators

• good numerical skills
• interpersonal skills
• IT skills
• secretarial and administrative skills.