AO — Administrative Officer
Everything you need to know about applying for AO roles in the Civil Service: what assessors expect, how behaviours are tested, and grade-specific examples.
What AO level involves
At AO level, you are expected to carry out administrative tasks efficiently, follow procedures, and support your team. You do not need to show strategic thinking — focus on doing your job well and understanding why it matters.
The 9 behaviours at AO level
Below are all nine Civil Service behaviours with typical word counts and links to grade-specific examples. Most departments ask for 250 words per behaviour at this level.
| Behaviour | Typical word count | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing the Big Picture | 250 | Example |
| Changing and Improving | 250 | Example |
| Making Effective Decisions | 250 | Example |
| Leadership | 250 | Example |
| Communicating and Influencing | 250 | Example |
| Working Together | 250 | Example |
| Developing Self and Others | 250 | Example |
| Managing a Quality Service | 250 | Example |
| Delivering at Pace | 250 | Example |
Scoring expectations at AO
At sift, your behaviour statements are scored on a scale of 1–7 against the Success Profiles framework. To pass, you typically need to score at least 4 ("Achieved") on each behaviour required for the role.
The difference between a score of 4 and a score of 5 is often specificity. A statement that says "I improved the process" scores lower than one that says "I redesigned the filing system, reducing retrieval time by 75%." Use numbers wherever you can.
How to progress from AO
Most AO roles are entry-level positions. To progress to EO, focus on taking on additional responsibilities, volunteering for projects, and demonstrating that you can work with minimal supervision. Your behaviour statements should show growing independence.