Information Technology Management, 2210

Qualification Standard

 

Official Titling Provisions

Title 5, United States Code, requires the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish the authorized official position titles which include a basic title (e.g., Information Technology Specialist) that may be appended with one or more prefixes and/or suffixes. Agencies must use official position titles for human resources management, budget, and fiscal purposes. Instructions for assigning official position titles are provided in this section.

Supervisors and Leaders

Add the prefix “Supervisory” to the basic title when the agency classifies the position as supervisory. If the position is covered by the General Schedule refer to the General Schedule Supervisory Guide for additional titling and grading information.

Add the prefix “Lead” to the basic title when the agency classifies the position as leader. If the position is covered by the General Schedule refer to the General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide for additional titling and grading information.

Specialty or Parenthetical Titles

There are no specialty or parenthetical titles specified for this series. Agencies may supplement the official title with agency established parenthetical titles if necessary for recruitment or other human resources needs.  A parenthetical designation should be used only when it is decided that it would add materially to the understanding and identification of the position. Parenthetical titles should be used only where it would be helpful or necessary to identify further the duties and responsibilities involved, and such duties and responsibilities reflect special knowledge and skills needed to perform the work. In all cases where a parenthetical title is used, the position description must reflect the duties which support the parenthetical designation.

Organizational Titles

Organizational and functional titles do not replace, but complement, official position titles. Agencies may establish organizational and functional titles for internal administration, public convenience, or similar purposes. Examples of organizational titles are Branch Chief and Division Chief. Examples of functional titles are Chief of Network Management, Chief of Cybersecurity, and Cybersecurity Division Chief.

IT 2210 Classification Crosswalk by Cluster (with Unofficial Titles)

IT Cluster	Basic Federal Title	Common Specialties	Unofficial/Descriptive Titles	NICE Work Role Codes	OPM Cyber Job Codes & Names
IT Operations and Security	IT Specialist IT Cybersecurity Specialist	Customer Support, Systems Administration, Security, Cybersecurity	- Cybersecurity Analyst - Network Engineer - IT Support Specialist - Cloud Security Engineer	- OM-ADM-001 (System Administrator) - OM-STS-001 (Help Desk Technician) - PR-CDA-001 (Cyber Defense Analyst) - PR-INF-001 (Incident Responder)	- 805: IT Customer Support - 807: IT Systems Administration - 901–916: Cybersecurity
IT Development and Analysis	IT Specialist	Applications Software, Data Management, Systems Analysis	- Software Developer - Data Analyst - Data Scientist - Application Engineer	- SP-DEV-001 (Software Developer) - AN-ASA-001 (Systems Analyst) - AN-DSA-001 (Data Scientist)	- 808: IT Systems Development - 814: IT Data Science and Analytics
IT Strategy and Planning	IT Specialist Program Manager Project Manager	Policy and Planning, Enterprise Architecture, Program Management, Project Management	- Enterprise Architect - IT Program Manager - IT Project Manager - Strategic IT Planner	- OV-SPP-002 (Enterprise Architect) - OV-SPP-003 (Strategic Planner) - OV-PMA-001 (Program Manager) - OV-PMA-002 (Project Manager)	- 801: IT Program Management - 803: IT Policy and Planning - 804: Enterprise Architecture

 

Official Titling Guidance

To support the use of descriptive or functional job titles in job announcements and working titles, refer to the latest OPM guidance:

OPM Job Titling Guidance Memo (September 2025)

This memo encourages agencies to:

• Use plain language, functional titles in job postings
• Align federal job announcements with private-sector terminology
• Maintain official federal titles for personnel documentation while using descriptive working titles for clarity and outreach

Series Definition

This series covers two-grade interval administrative positions that manage, supervise, lead, administer, develop, deliver, and support information technology (IT) systems and services across three primary clusters:

• IT Operations and Security – Ensures the day-to-day functionality, security, and resilience of IT infrastructure, including systems administration, network operations, and cybersecurity.
• IT Development and Analysis – Focuses on designing, developing, testing, and implementing software applications, data solutions, and web/internet services to meet mission needs.
• IT Strategy and Planning – Provides long-term vision, governance, and alignment of IT initiatives with organizational goals through strategic planning, policy development, and enterprise architecture.

Positions in this series require IT principles, concepts, and methods as the paramount qualification, including knowledge of systems architecture, software development, data lifecycle management, networking, and cybersecurity. Information technology encompasses automated and digital systems used for acquiring, storing, manipulating, managing, transmitting, and securing information. Work performed in this series includes broad knowledge of computers, network components, cloud infrastructure, peripheral equipment, software, firmware, services, and related resources, as well as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation tools, and zero-trust security frameworks that enable secure, efficient, and resilient IT operations.

 

Titling

 

Basic titles for this occupation are:

• Information Technology Specialist or IT Specialist

Work that involves developing, delivering, and supporting IT systems and services is Information Technology Specialist or IT Specialist. Agencies may use organizational or functional titles with the basic title to further identify the duties and responsibilities performed and the special knowledge and skills needed.

• IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Work that involves the security of and operations in cyberspace and encompasses the full range of threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to securing the global information and communication infrastructure.” (Note – See Interpretive Guidance for Cybersecurity Positions for evaluation criteria and information regarding this work.) 

• IT Program Manager

Work that involves managing one or more major multi-year IT initiatives of such magnitude must be carried out through multiple related IT projects. The IT Program Manager leads, coordinates, communicates, integrates and is accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities. They are responsible for ensuring the work efforts achieve the outcome specified within the agency’s business strategy, including appropriate strategic, life cycle management and capital IT investment plans. Work includes project selection, prioritization, evaluation and monitoring, cost schedule management, risk management, quality management and resource allocations.

• IT Project Manager

Work that involves directly managing information technology projects to provide a unique service or product. (Note – See Interpretive Guidance for IT Project Managers for evaluation criteria and information regarding this work.)

No parenthetical titles are specified for this series. Agencies may construct supplemental parenthetical titles that further describe and differentiate work. Refer to the OPM Cybersecurity Codes Linked to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework) | NICCS on additional titling options representing the skills your agency needs for hiring talent. Determining a title that aligns with the key skills of a position is required. Refer to the organizational and the parenthetical titling guidance above for appropriately using additional titling.

 

General Occupational Information

Information technology (IT) refers to systems and services used in the automated acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, assurance, or reception of information. IT includes computers, network components, peripheral equipment, software, firmware, services, and related resources.

Perhaps no other occupation has experienced such dramatic and constant changes that have affected the IT occupation in recent years. The growing use of information technology throughout our economy has resulted in an unprecedented explosion in the demand for skilled IT workers. This phenomenon affects virtually every aspect of the IT human resources management process from recruitment to retirement. The position classification function is no exception. Continuous, significant developments in technology and its application dramatically influence the occupation, with a particular emphasis on information security and cybersecurity. As more information, products, and services become widely available to customers by way of shared resources, the need to assure confidentiality, resiliency, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data has become increasingly important.

Previously, OPM prescribed eleven parenthetical titles for the 2210 Information Technology Management series. However, the information technology field continues to evolve at a pace that makes such title prescriptions restrictive and impractical. Jobs within IT frequently vary so extensively throughout the government that it is not possible to reflect all the possible combinations and permutations of duties and responsibilities in a standard. To assist in alleviating this challenge, information technology work has been identified and grouped into clusters in order to further highlight potential duties and responsibilities, specialized competencies and skills, and technological advancements shaping these roles. As IT continues to evolve, organizations increasingly rely on technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing to optimize data management, automate workflows, and enhance overall efficiency. Although multiple skills and tasks are represented by these clusters, the criteria for their establishment reflect the reality of the rapid advancement of technology, possible differences organizations may have in their requirements for filling these positions, and differences between specific organizational and functional structures. In order to align the critical role of competencies with classification, skills-based hiring, and workforce planning, agencies may create functional areas or identify specializations for quality ranking or selective certification. These measures can help to verify candidates who possess the technical expertise, specialized credentials, and experience necessary for positions managing AI-driven solutions, cloud-based infrastructure, and collaborative digital ecosystems. Agencies may also create their own organization-specific IT specialties as needed to ensure that candidates possess the necessary qualifications and expertise, and to adapt to advancements in technology, ensuring their workforce remains equipped to handle emerging digital challenges.

Information Technology plays a crucial role in modern organizations, ensuring seamless operations, efficient system development, and strategic alignment with business goals. Three clusters of information technology work have been outlined below: IT Operations and Security, IT Development and Analysis, and IT Strategy and Planning.

IT Operations and Security 

This cluster involves the planning, installation, operation, and maintenance of hardware and software systems, as well as ensuring the security and integrity of systems, networks, and data. It includes functions such as system administration, network services, customer support, and information security. Employees in this cluster establish and sustain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the development and implementation of security programs, policies, procedures, and digital tools.

Types of work may include but is not limited to:

• the planning, analysis, design, development, testing, quality assurance, configuration, installation, implementation, integration, maintenance, and/or management or administration of network systems used for the transmission and exchange of information and resources in digital communication formats and platforms.
• ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of information systems security programs, policies, procedures, and tools.
• planning and coordinating the installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of hardware and software systems.
• the planning and delivery of customer support services, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, customer assistance, and/or training, in response to customer requirements.
• the planning, installation, configuration, testing, implementation, and management of the systems environment in support of the organization’s IT architecture and business needs.

IT Development and Analysis

This cluster focuses on the design, development, testing, and implementation of new and improved information systems. This includes application software development, systems analysis, data management, and web/internet services. Employees in this cluster perform needs analyses, consult with customers to identify specific system needs, develop overall functional requirements, conduct business process reengineering, and prepare business cases for the application of IT solutions.

Types of work may include but are not limited to:

• the review and evaluation of information technology processes and procedures to support the planning, design, and implementation of new or improved technology systems to meet business
• the requirements analysis, design, documentation, development, modification, testing, deployment, and maintenance of new or existing software and applications.
• the planning, development, collection, implementation, security, storage, maintenance, utilization, and administration of systems for the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of data throughout its lifecycle.
• the technical planning, design, development, testing, implementation, and management of internet, intranet, and extranet activities, including systems/applications development and technical management of websites.

IT Strategy and Planning

This cluster encompasses strategic planning, policy development, and enterprise architecture. This involves aligning IT strategies with organizational goals and objectives, setting the overall direction and vision for IT within the organization. Employees in this cluster develop and maintain strategic plans, assess policy needs, provide policy guidance, prepare IT budgets, manage IT investment portfolios, and conduct audits of IT programs and projects.

Types of work may include but are not limited to:

• the strategic research, analysis, planning, design, implementation, documentation, assessment, and management of the enterprise structural framework to align IT strategy, plans, and systems with the mission, goals, structure, and business processes of the organization.
• a broad spectrum of IT management activities that typically extend and applies to an entire organization or major components of an organization. This includes strategic planning, capital planning and investment control, workforce planning, policy and standards development, resource management, knowledge management, auditing, and information security management.

In addition to the three foundational IT clusters: IT Operations and Security, IT Development and Analysis, and IT Strategy and Planning, each representing a distinct domain of expertise within the federal IT workforce the following table provides a comparison of the three clusters. To support accurate classification, workforce planning, and alignment with the NICE Framework and OPM Cyber Job Coding structure, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison of these clusters. It highlights their core functions, typical roles, and how they differ in purpose and scope.

 

IT Cluster Comparison Table with NICE and OPM Cyber Job Code Names

IT Cluster	Definition	Common Roles	Distinguishing Focus	NICE Work Role Codes	OPM Cyber Job Codes & Names
IT Operations and Security	Encompasses the planning, installation, operation, maintenance, and protection of IT systems, networks, and data.	Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Cybersecurity Analyst, IT Support Specialist	Ensures secure, stable, and efficient IT infrastructure and services.	- OM-ADM-001 (System Administrator) - PR-CDA-001 (Cyber Defense Analyst) - OM-STS-001 (Help Desk Technician)	- 805: IT Customer Support - 807: IT Systems Administration - 901–916: Cybersecurity (e.g., Cyber Defense Analyst, Security Architect, Incident Responder)
IT Development and Analysis	Involves the design, development, testing, and evaluation of software, applications, and systems to meet mission needs.	Software Developer, Application Engineer, Data Analyst, Systems Analyst	Builds and improves IT solutions through software engineering and data-driven insights.	- SP-DEV-001 (Software Developer) - AN-ASA-001 (Systems Analyst) - AN-DSA-001 (Data Scientist)	- 808: IT Systems Development - 814: IT Data Science and Analytics
IT Strategy and Planning	Focuses on long-term IT visioning, policy development, enterprise architecture, and strategic alignment with mission goals.	Enterprise Architect, IT Policy Analyst, Strategic Planner, IT Program Manager	Guides IT direction, governance, and investment decisions.	- OV-SPP-002 (Enterprise Architect) - OV-PMA-001 (Program Manager) - OV-SPP-003 (Strategic Planner)	- 801: IT Program Management - 803: IT Policy and Planning - 804: Enterprise Architecture

 

Summary of Distinctions

• Operations and Security ensures the day-to-day functionality and protection of IT systems.
• Development and Analysis focuses on creating and refining IT solutions and data products.
• Strategy and Planning provides the vision, governance, and alignment of IT with organizational goals.

 

Each cluster supports a different phase of the IT lifecycle and requires distinct competencies, which are reflected in both the NICE Framework and OPM Cyber Job Coding Structure.