Information Technology Classification Redesign

​The Information Systems Specialist (ISS) classification series was originally developed in 1997. Over time, the series has become outdated as technology, security requirements, and workforce expectations evolved. The series no longer accurately reflects the work in state agencies and throughout Enterprise Information Services.​​

​The Information Systems Specialist (ISS) classification series, through the process of this study, wil​l be modernized to include domains and disciplines. Agencies are completing a workforce survey to provide high-level information that will inform us which domains and disciplines should be created that meet the State's business need. In this process, we will also learn about the different levels of work.

The goal is to create structures that ensure clearer career pathways and align state IT roles with industry practices. This modernization effort ultimately laid the foundation for the IT Redesign Study.​

​The CHRO recently worked on the Business Analyst and Business Systems Analyst classifications. The Oregon Management Project (TOMP) created the Information Technology management classifications in 2022. Positions that have duties in more than one domain or discipline (aka hybrid or mixed duty jobs).​​

​The IT Classification Study follows a phased approach to ensure accurate, consistent, and equitable results. These phases will be applied to all domains and disciplines.​

Phase 1: Data Collection and Analysis

• Gather job surveys, position descriptions, organizational charts, and employee/manager input.
• Review market data and industry standards of practice.

Phase 2: Specification Development

• Conduct job analysis to understand duties, responsibilities, skills, and competencies.
• Develop draft class concepts, typical essential functions, knowledge and skills, supervision received, interactions with others, and levels.
• Hold SME and IT management focus groups to validate role expectations.
• Align roles with industry standards and career pathways.
• Validate drafts with agency HR partners, IT leadership, and labor partners.

Phase 3: Job Evaluation

• Complete job evaluations (Central Evaluation Team (CET) presentations and evaluations).
• ​Draft allocation guidance.

​This comprehensive class study will engage Chief Information Officers, Human Resources leadership, Human Resources analysts, labor partners, and subject matter experts (employees and management).​​

​The updated IT classification structure will include multiple domains and disciplines, each with its own level progression. Because the new structure consolidates some ISS levels and reorganizes roles, a simple crosswalk from current ISS levels to new levels may not be possible. CHRO will develop and provide allocation guidance to HR analysts and post all materials on the CHRO Class Study website.

​Under ORS 240.190, employees will not experience any reduction in wages as a result of this study.​

To support accurate classification decisions, managers should ensure position descriptions clearly reflect the actual work performed, including duties, decision-making authority, level of responsibility, and reference materials or resources used. This is especially important for positions where roles tend to be more distinct. Managers are responsible for keeping position descriptions current, accurate, and signed by appointing authorities.

The authority to conduct a study is provided in 240.215 (1) Classification plan which states “The Personnel Division (i.e., CHRO) of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall adopt a classification plan which shall group all positions in the classified service in classifications based on their duties, authority and responsibilities; and which shall set forth for each classification, a class title, a statement of the minimum qualifications, duties, authority and responsibilities thereof. Each classification of positions may be subdivided and classes may be grouped and ranked in an appropriate manner."​​​