Administration seeks authority to update IT job classes faster to hire staff rather than contractors

The Department of Administration asked the House Labor Committee to approve H 5945, a bill creating a narrow, expedited mechanism to revise, post and recruit for specialized information‑technology job classifications so the state can hire and retain permanent IT staff instead of relying on consultants.

Director Jonathan Womack and CIO representatives described a market problem: IT job descriptions and classification language on the state’s public job postings often lag current technology and vocabulary, discouraging candidates whose skills are centered on newer platforms and tools. “The vocabulary of IT keeps changing very rapidly,” Womack said. Without flexibility to update senior‑level job classes and pay rates, the state now hires contractors for permanent needs, he added, which increases long‑term costs and leaves critical systems in vendor hands.

DOA sought authority to amend certain senior IT classifications more quickly and to set associated pay ranges for those roles, subject to oversight. The department framed the change as targeted: senior system architects, cloud/database specialists and similar permanent roles rather than short‑term project work, which remains appropriate for vendors and consultants.

Union representatives said they are willing to work with the administration but requested time‑limited, targeted language and protections so existing state employees are not displaced or excluded from bargaining. Jim Cinerini of Council 94 said the state’s existing class specifications and pay scales often fall behind market rates and that any changes should be negotiated to avoid unintended impacts on the bargaining unit.

Committee members asked the administration to pursue a negotiated approach with unions and to return with draft safeguards and an implementation timeline. No final vote was taken.