IT Classification Redesign FAQs

​The IT classification redesign p​roject is an effort to update, clarify, and modernize IT job classifications used across the executive branch. The goal is to ensure job classifications accurately reflect current work, skills, and functional needs.​

​​Management, SEIU, and AFSCME bargained an IT Classification study in the 2025 bargaining session. Oregon’s current Information Systems Specialist (ISS) structure is outdated and no longer reflects modern technology roles or labor‑market realities.

​This study will help modernize these classifications by aligning them with contemporary IT disciplines, clarifying role expectations, and creating clearer career pathways.

​The goal is to support competitive hiring, reduce turnover, improve project stability, and ensure the State can build and sustain a strong, future‑ready IT workforce.​​

​A class study is a structured review of classification specifications. Studies typically include evaluating the concept of the classification, reviewing essential job functions, identifying required competencies, and confirming the classification aligns with business needs.​​

The IT Classification Redesign Project will be completed in three phases. Each phase is designed to gather information, validate draft materials, and ensure the final classifications accurately reflect statewide IT bodies of work.​​

Phase 1: Data Collection and Initial Draft Development

Gather information through market comparisons, workforce surveys, and input from Enterprise Information Services, agency Chief Information Officers, and labor partners. The project team uses this information to draft initial classification specifications. These drafts will be validated and refined in Phase 2.

Phase 2: Subject Matter Expert Focus Groups

Subject matter experts (SMEs) from agencies and labor partners who have deep knowledge of IT work will participate in facilitated focus groups hosted by the CHRO Class Studies Team. Feedback gathered during these sessions will be used to refine and strengthen the draft class specifications.

Phase 3: Job Evaluation

SMEs will be asked to spend up to three months developing presentations that provide essential context for the Central Evaluation Team (CET). The CET evaluates each classification to determine its placement within the State’s classification and compensation structure. Typical presentations last about one hour. 

During Phase 3, the CHRO will also develop an allocation guide to support program managers and human resources professionals. This guide will help agencies appropriately allocate positions to the updated IT classifications once the redesign is complete.

​SMEs consist of management, supervisors, employees, and agency HR partners. The criteria for SME participation include one of the following:​

• Be a current employee in the domain under review.
• Be a current manager of an IT function.
• Be nominated by your manager or an affected labor organization (AEE, AFSCME, AOCE, SEIU)
• Be a member of the Enterprise Information Services leadership team​
  

​SMEs are nominated by agency IT managers and labor unions. SME focus groups are limited to 12-15 individuals per information technology domain at various levels.

SMEs should:

• Have demonstrated deep working knowledge of the IT domain under review (e.g., networking, cybersecurity, applications, data, architecture, etc.)
• Have at least 3-5 years of hands‑on state experience in the domain
• Be currently working in a role where the SME’s expertise is actively applied.

SMEs might also:

• Be recognized by peers or managers as a go‑to person for technical expertise in the domain
• Have the ability to represent not just their unit, but broader statewide perspectives
• Be willing​ to commit to meeting time, deliverables, and collaborative work.

​Partially. Subject matter e​xperts are nominated by their manager or labor organization. Membership will be limited.​

1. ​Related class studies that have already been completed.​
• Business Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
2. Hybrid roles.
• Positions performing mixed duty or working in more than one domain or discipline
3. IT management positions.
• Completed management classifications through The Oregon Management Project (2022)​
  

​No. A classification redesign does not change positions and their day‑to‑day job duties. This study defines jobs and categorizes them within the State Classification and Compensation Plan.​​

​Not automatically. ​The project results will produce updated classification structures. Agencies will then evaluate where their positions should be moved into the new classification structure using statewide HR allocation processes.​

​A classification review looks at a single position to determine whether its duties are correctly matched to an existing classification, while a classification study is a large‑scale, statewide evaluation of an entire job, like the ISS series, to modernize structures, align roles with current job disciplines, address workforce challenges, and ensure the classification system reflects actual work across agencies.​​

​No. Your wage will not decrease.​​

​No. The classification study process alone does not determine pay decisions; it helps to inform those decisions. 

Compensation changes are dependent on the outcomes of the classification study, job evaluation, market pricing, and bargaining processes.​​

​The classification study series is anticipated to be completed by December 2027.​​

​The project website​ will host updates, timelines, FAQs, and resources. Agencies will also receive communications through HR channels.​

​To support and prepare for the allocation process, agency HR professionals are encouraged to gather current position descriptions, ensure they accurately reflect work assigned, and maintain accurate organization charts that illustrate the workflow and agency hierarchy. They can also make sure position descriptions are approved and signed by the appropriate appointing authority within the last 12 months (effective December 2027).​

​​You can email the CHRO Classification Studies Team at CHRO.ClassStudies@das.oregon.gov​​.