IT professional structure
What is the IT professional structure?
The IT professional structure is the general civil service classification and compensation structure specific to the states information technology workforce. This structure was developed to:
- Ensure enterprise and organizational alignment and equity
- Improve opportunities for career growth
- Keep pace with the rate of information technology industry change
- Improve the states ability to benchmark work internally and externally
IT professional structure profile
This table shows the number of classified ITPS positions in General Government and Higher Education by job family (rows) and job level (columns) reported quarterly. Data shown as of July 2026:
| Job level | Entry | Journey | Senior /
Specialist |
Expert | IT Manager | IT Senior
Manager |
Total number by
job family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Development | 108 | 582 | 367 | 13 | 59 | 14 | 1143 |
| IT Architecture | N/A | 3 | 166 | 9 | 28 | 11 | 217 |
| IT Business Analysis | 38 | 346 | 163 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 562 |
| IT Customer Support | 323 | 416 | 57 | N/A | 32 | N/A | 828 |
| IT Data Management | 28 | 250 | 137 | 2 | 24 | 2 | 443 |
| IT Policy & Planning | 1 | 8 | 55 | 1 | 50 | 62 | 177 |
| IT Project Management | 7 | 89 | 165 | 1 | 33 | 9 | 304 |
| IT Quality Assurance | 27 | 175 | 55 | 7 | 264 | ||
| IT Security | N/A | 77 | 132 | 3 | 15 | 17 | 244 |
| IT System Administration | 105 | 728 | 310 | 4 | 21 | 7 | 1175 |
| IT Vendor Management | 4 | 15 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 47 | |
| Network & Telecommunications | 38 | 148 | 153 | 15 | 7 | 361 | |
| Total number by job level | 679 | 2837 | 1779 | 37 | 300 | 133 | 5765 |
N/A = job level does not exist in that job family.
How is it different from other general civil service classification and compensation plans?
- Allocation decisions are made by the organizations ITPS evaluation committee. The committee requirements are established in rule (WAC 357-13-058) and committees must include IT and HR professionals. The ITPS evaluation committee is trained to apply clearly defined criteria used to evaluate the work of a position captured in the IT position description. Evaluation results are input in the enterprise IT Position Evaluation Tool for position history and reporting purposes.
- The ITPS salary schedule consists of 11 ranges and 13 steps. Progression through the salary schedule is the same as other general civil service salary schedules. The difference in the ITPS salary schedule is each range is independent and not related to the other ranges. IT job classes (family + level) are assigned to one range on the new salary schedule.
Where can I find more information about the IT professional structure?
Online ITPS information
- ITPS job descriptions: Descriptions for each job level in each job family are found on the Classified Job Listing page.
- ITPS salary schedules: ITPS Salary schedules are posted on the Salary Schedules page.
- ITPS position description: Form used specifically for classified IT positions posted on the HR Forms page.
- How to Complete the IT Position Description: Online narrated training demonstrating how to complete the IT Position Description form.
ITPS training and reference materials
- IT Evaluators Handbook [PDF] (rev. July 2025)
- IT Position Evaluation Online Training PowerPoint [PDF]
- ITPS Job Level Ranges [PDF]
- Glossary of Classification Terms
- IT Manager Exercise [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Cameron Frye [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Charlie Parker [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Ferris Bueller [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Sally May Smith [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Sam Yukon [PDF]
- Sample ITPD – Steve Allen Smith [PDF]
- IT Tool Rating Guide [PDF]
IT position evaluation online training schedule
Training Participant Eligibility: Only HR professionals and IT Managers that have been identified and notified by their agency/HE they will be a member of their organization’s ITPS Evaluation Committee are eligible to attend.
IT Position Evaluation Training invites are sent to the ITPS Coordinator’s for distribution to eligible HR professionals and IT Managers. Registration will open approximately 4-weeks prior to training.
| Training date | Time | Date registration opens |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
|
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (includes 30-minute break)
|
Wednesday, August 19th, 2026
|
Please note dates listed above are subject to change.
IT Position Evaluation – Online Refresher Training
We’ve created a shortened, easy‑to‑navigate version of our IT Position Evaluation Online Refresher Training to support HR professionals who need a quick review of the core concepts. This updated recording is hosted on YouTube and includes chapter markers so you can jump directly to the topics you need whether it’s evaluation responsibilities, scope of responsibilities, or common classification considerations.
This condensed training is designed to help you refresh your knowledge efficiently and reinforce consistent statewide application of IT position evaluation standards. Note: This refresher does not replace the required live training and is intended only as a supplemental review.
Click below to watch the training and explore the chapters at your own pace.
IT Position Evaluation Online Refresher Training – YouTube