Exceptions for original appointments

(a) A beginning salary higher than the minimum rate for the job class 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. A salary rate higher than the minimum rate may only be authorized if (1) the appointee is exceptionally qualified; (2) recruitment is extremely difficult for a job class or particular position; (3) the salary is authorized by the appointing authority under 2 AAC 07.325; or (4) the appointee is an employee in the exempt or partially exempt service whose position was moved to the classified service due to reorganization. (b) If the employee was a State of Alaska employee before appointment as a division director, and was receiving a salary higher than that established for the director position, the employee shall be entitled to continue to receive the higher rate of pay. In such cases, the employee shall be placed at step F and be paid at an exception rate of pay equal to the employee's former salary.