Office of National Statistics

Not sure if I should post this in the Civil Service Fast Stream, or start a new thread.

Just started looking to apply to ONS, and wondering what another people thought about the difference between Assistant Statistician and Statistical Officier. The application process is very different, would it be wise to assume it is easier to get into the SO position?

Also, do you know if it's possible to apply to both? (different closing times)

Also, it says "a first or second class honours degree" does this include a 2.2? On a different ONS page (can't find it now) it specifies 2.2 and this is likely to be what I end up with :frown:

Thanks for reading and hopefully replying!

Reply 1

mbdnr506

I applied through the statisticians Fast Stream (i.e. for the Assistant Statistician role), and have made it to the assessment centre (hurrah).

2:2 counts as a second class degree for the Fast Stream, so I expect it probably will for the direct route also.

Reply 2

Mr Intensity

OP

1

Nice one!

Why did you decide for AS instead of SO?

Reply 3

mbdnr506

Because AS is the Fast Stream route whereas SO is the Main Stream route. I know 'Statistical Officer' sounds like a better job title than 'Assistant Statistician', but it isn't a better job!

Reply 4

Mr Intensity

OP

1

Yeah I've been reading around and AS looks a better job, but for me SO has better locations.

Suppose my only question is can you apply for both? Can't find any material for that - I know that if you want to apply for AS and another fast stream you have to apply in the first batch.

Reply 5

mbdnr506

Your best bet is probably to apply through the Fast Stream. Then, if you don't make it through the Statistical Assessment Centre, you might get retracked onto the general fast stream, and if you make it through the Statistical Assessment Centre but not the Fast Stream Assessment Centre you might get an SO post.

If you don't get through the initial tests you're out of luck, OTOH.

Reply 6

her0n

11

I work for ONS but i'm not in an AS or SO role.

I'm at the Titchfield office. Ask me anything about what it's like here.

Reply 7

Mr Intensity

OP

1

Hey thanks for the offer her0n.

I'm going to apply for a SO vacancy in my region that has a deadline of 31st October and see how that goes.

Reply 8

ForumJunkie

Hi there,

I'm really interested in the Social Researcher posts.

Does anyone know whether you have to do the assessment centre to be accepted onto one of these? Or are those specifically for potential stats and econ. people (that maybe wishful thinking :-))

Does anyone know what the competition is like for the "experienced graduates" places?

Thank!

FJ.xx

Reply 9

her0n

11

I believe the www.onsjobs.co.uk site is aimed at graduates.. which would include the Social Researcher post. So, degrees like Geography, Maths, Statistics, Economics.. that sort of thing.. would be very useful. I think the Social Researcher role would probably be more of a human aspect, rather than numbers.

I don't work in HR, but i'd assume that they all require you to attend an assessment day thing.

There's some other jobs here, many of which have a deadline of today(!)

http://www.ons.gov.uk/jobs/current-vacancies/index.html

You'll want to look at the AO roles.

Reply 10

ForumJunkie

Thanks so much!

FJ.xx

Reply 11

Mr Intensity

OP

1

Mr Intensity

Hey thanks for the offer her0n.

I'm going to apply for a SO vacancy in my region that has a deadline of 31st October and see how that goes.

Sent my app in yesterday and got an emailing saying I'll hear regarding 'the sift'. Anyone know how long this part of the process takes?

Reply 12

her0n

11

Just out of interest, what location will you be applying to?

Also, I'm curious to know why you chose ONS :tongue:

It's hardly the coolest place to work!

Reply 13

Mr Intensity

OP

1

Darlington. I'm in final year of a 4 year Maths and Stats course, doing my dissertation in a Stats area and that's the area that I want a career in.

Oh, I'm also very likely to get a 2.2 so my options are pretty limited :biggrin: