Exceptions for initial appointment of an employee to a new job class

(a) A salary rate higher than that specified in 2 AAC 07.330 may be authorized by the director for a position in the classified service, or by the principal executive officer for a position in the partially exempt service, upon initial appointment to a new job classification for a current state employee when the appointment has been made through a competitive hire process. A salary rate higher than that specified in 2 AAC 07.330 may only be authorized if (1) the appointee is exceptionally qualified; or (2) recruitment is extremely difficult for a job class or particular position. (b) The employee appointed under (a) of this section may not be placed in a pay increment under AS 39.27.011(h) in the new range.