Local Employment Policy Handbook - ICASS

ADVANCED IN-HIRE RATE (AIR) FOR NORS HIRED UNDER A PSA
Advanced In-Hire Rate (AIR) allows the State Department to authorize a higher rate of pay before entry
on duty in recognition of a NOR applicant’s “unusually high and unique” qualifications when HR hires
the NOR under a PSA. AIR is not intended to “match” the applicant’s existing or prior rate of pay.
Eligibility for AIR
AIR is available to NORs of State and participating agencies who signed State’s MOA to for PSA
authority who are:
1. New (first-time) hires on a State or participating agency PSA;
Or
2. Hired under a State or participating agency PSA with a break in service of at least 90 calendar
days from the last employment under a State or participating agency PSA.
Requesting AIR
HR may request AIR for a NOR candidate who will encumber any position at any grade under a PSA
except for positions on the FP extended schedule (FP-AA through FP-EE). Requesting AIR for any
NOR is totally at the discretion of Mission management, and may reflect budgetary concerns, employee
morale, and other considerations. AIR is not an entitlement for any NOR.
Authorizing AIR
The International HR Manager in HR/OE/HRM authorizes AIR when the NOR applicant possesses a
combination of work experience, compensation history, education and training of such quality and length
that the Mission may reasonably expect a higher level of performance beyond the requirements of the
position. The NOR applicant’s exceptional qualifications are based only on a combination of prior
experience, education and training in the same occupational field as the position to be encumbered. It’s
important that HR submit to HR/OE/HRM a detailed application package, including some or all of the
following:
--Job Application/Resume. Each job described in the work history section must include (1)
starting and ending dates to the month and year with percentages to identify relevant work
performed; (2) concise description of the assigned responsibilities; and (3) salary and work
schedule.