Administration Officer - Stroud - CR2243

Job summary

We are looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals who strive for excellence and integrity, who are passionate about supporting the British farming industry and ensuring healthy wildlife populations.

Are you conscientious and an excellent team worker?

If the answer is ‘yes’, we would love to hear from you!

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

The APHA Science Directorate consists of different specialist Departments, and this role will be within the National Wildlife Management Centre (NWMC) at Aston Down & Woodchester Park.

The team delivers a range of Wildlife Health research projects and field delivery services for Defra’s wildlife policy teams, and for the Welsh Government. This supports the implementation of strategies to tackle bovine TB and other important diseases. The unit at Woodchester Park has at its heart a well-established scientific study that enables research into badger health and ecology. The unit at Aston Down serves as the national headquarters for delivery of wildlife health field services, including wildlife vaccination and ecological surveys.

This role will principally be an office-based post as a dual location at Aston Down and Woodchester Park, providing administration, guidance and support to all areas of the National Wildlife Management Centre’s operations, both locally and nationally.

You will be working in a friendly and supporting team in a fast paced, proactive and varied role.

This role will involve delivering a wide range of functions and procedures including booking travel/accommodation, managing a vehicle fleet logistically - ensuring accurate records of vehicle usage are kept, and ensuring the vehicles are safety checked and maintained accordingly, and any other business support functions.

Job description

You will be responsible for the following tasks:

PRIORITY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Local management of the vehicle fleet and services – ensuring vehicles and their drivers can be identified and located at any time, and that accurate monthly records are collected, uploaded to SharePoint Online (SPOL) and mileage tracker figures are maintained. Also scheduling in required services, MOTs and repairs.
• Procurement – Raising Purchase Orders (POs) to ensure prompt payment of invoices, ordering consumables and equipment. Processing payment forms and service enquiries such as new supplier forms and Imprest payments as required.
• Providing support to the team in researching and booking travel arrangements – including cars, rail, air, accommodation, and conferences.
• Regular check ins of the Team Mailboxes and directing general enquiries to relevant colleagues.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations within the office and respond with energy and commitment to take on additional tasks that may be outside the normal day to day duties.
• Ensure continuity by covering Wildlife Admin responsibilities during colleagues’ sickness or leave.
• Ensure clear communication is held with other admin staff to avoid duplication and omission.
• Administration of APHA licensing, training & compliance processes for national wildlife programmes delivered by APHA and external stakeholders (including badger vaccination programme).
• Using either a van or 4x4 to deliver equipment to required vaccination areas.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Organising and producing notes/minutes for scheduled weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings.
• Processing STaR awards each month following Leadership approval.
• Chase outstanding Timecards each month and other routine administrative tasks as required.
• Using a pressure washer to clean kit
• If the workload occasionally permits, the postholder can offer some support for other projects which would enable broader awareness of other aspects of the whole team’s work profile.
• To complete all mandatory training annually

The role works as part of an Admin Team providing cover across both Stroud sites (Woodchester Park & Aston Down), with travel required between the two to meet operational needs.

--This post involves working with, or in an environment with, nuts, including peanuts, so would not be suitable for persons with nut allergies --

Person specification

Experience and skills:

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of working in an office environment, or equivalent.
• Good inter-personal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good IT skills and be proficient at desk-based work using standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Teams) and be willing to learn to use bespoke applications and new skills where appropriate.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks.

Workplace arrangements

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding, therefore a level of physical fitness is required.

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, may apply.

Out of hours work may be required. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime schedules to meet requirements.

The post will require Health clearance. No vaccinations are required. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

Licences

A valid full UK Driving is required - evidence of which will be required at Interview. Driving APHA/Fleet/Hire vehicles and delivering equipment to sites are a crucial part of this role.
In addition, our sites are remote and not accessible via public transport.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,025, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,539 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application Process

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test and a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 16th February 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 16th February 2026.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits; for further information visit the Reasonable adjustments for online tests - a candidate guide

For more guidance about the online Civil Service tests, please see the GOV.UK website: Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You will also be required to complete the following as part of your application:

• A CV-style application submitted through an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs website. There is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
• A 500-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Personal Specification – the written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. We encourage you to use the full word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed it
• A 250-word Behaviour Statement for the following Behaviour – Managing a Quality Service. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your application.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement and scored against the essential criteria.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the criteria. Consider the Job Description and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc.

Scoring for all criteria of the application is from 1 to 7 – A score of 4 and above in each area will progress to interview unless there is a large number of applications. In this instance, an initial sift will be conducted using the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. Any candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who scores 4 or above on all of the criteria will be offered an interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV style application, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV , Civil Service Careers

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via wildlifejobs@apha.gov.uk with the vacancy reference number, your applicant reference number, and the closing date.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on:

• Experience as detailed in the Person Specification section - Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK
• Behaviours (Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together). The Behaviour criteria outlined in theSuccess Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKframework for AO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be notified of the location of the interview when you are invited for interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Reserves

In the event of more than one candidate meeting the criteria, a reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates who do not meet the criteria for appointment at the advertised Grade, but are considered a ‘near miss’, may be offered a similar post at a Grade lower than the advertised role should one become available.

After the interview

Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. Offers will be made in merit order.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location (excluding Northern Ireland) and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

The agreed contractual workplace is the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.

Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations for meetings for example. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The post holder must work from the locations listed in the Location section of the advert.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the Pay Band.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Working Pattern

This role is full time only - 37 hours. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged.

Security and Health Clearance

In accordance with guidelines governing security, you will be expected to have the necessary security clearance for the work of the post.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Wildlife Jobs - Alissa Tonkinson
• Email : wildlifejobs@apha.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here

Attachments

JD Admin Officer Stroud Opens in new window (pdf, 310kB)Candidate Information Pack APHA Opens in new window (pdf, 1875kB)