Clerical/Admin Officer

Clerical / Administrative Officer Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) Location: Cardiff - Hybrid working available after training Pay: £13.47 per hour Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week Contract: Temporary role with potential extension Start your Civil Service journey with APHA The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) plays a vital role in protecting animal health, plant biosecurity and public wellbeing across the UK. We're currently looking for a Clerical / Administrative Officer to join our friendly Cardiff-based team. This is a fantastic entry-level opportunity (no previous admin experience is required). Full training will be provided during your first two weeks. If you're confident, professional, and genuinely happy speaking to people on the phone, we'd love to hear from you. *Important* please read before applying The primary focus of this role is handling inbound and outbound telephone calls. You must be confident, comfortable, and calm speaking on the phone throughout the day. If you prefer minimal phone contact, this role will not be suitable. Key responsibilities Answering inbound telephone calls and making outbound calls to customers and stakeholders Managing a variety of queries in a contact centre environment (this is not a sales call centre) Collecting, checking, and actioning information to ensure records are complete Contacting customers to confirm or clarify details Completing general administrative tasks including emails and system updates Using internal IT systems and Microsoft Office tools Working collaboratively with colleagues and escalating issues where appropriate Training and working pattern Two weeks of full, in person training at the Cardiff office Full support provided, including being buddied up while learning systems Hybrid working available after training (60% office / 40% home), once able to work independently Working hours: Training period: 9:00am - 5:00pm Post-training: shifts cover between 8:30am - 5:00pm, with some flexibility required *8:30am start - early finish, 9am start - 5 pm finish* What we are looking for No previous administrative experience is required; attitude and confidence are key. Confident and comfortable speaking on the phone Friendly, approachable, and professional Calm, patient, and adaptable to change Good verbal and written communication skills IT Literacy and willingness to learn new systems Reliable and able to take initiative This role is ideal for someone who is: Starting their career Seeking office-based experience Looking for a stepping stone into the Civil Service Additional information Location: Cardiff Customer Service Centre area) Security clearance: Basic DBS required *Will be provided to successful candidate How to apply If you are confident on the phone and keen to learn, we encourage you to apply. Please note this is a phone-focused role. Only apply if you are comfortable with regular telephone-based work. Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer. Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.