The latest IT jobs report from online job site Dice suggested tech hiring managers are resolute in their staffing priorities for 2012—they need innovative professionals who design, code, build and operate. The report found that developers dominate the New Year’s most pressing hiring needs for a second straight year, although ops professionals made their list debut.

Meanwhile, software developers moved up one spot on the list to claim the No. 2 position this year. According to the report, employers are looking for developers who have strong opinions on what makes for high-quality code, and a passion to create excellent user experiences and business solutions. On Dice, there are software developer positions posted in 44 out of 50 states, and outside of the major metropolitan markets, the company saw good demand in Florida, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona.