Company Profile
American Institutes for Research
Company Overview
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world. Our overriding goal is to use the best science available to bring the most effective ideas and approaches to enhancing everyday life. For us, making the world a better place is not wishful thinking. It is the goal that drives us.
Founded in 1946 as a nonprofit organization, AIR is a carefully designed institution motivated by the desire to enhance the human experience. We are committed to contributing to the science of human behavior and the development of man’s capacities and potential.
Our work spans a wide range of substantive areas: education, student assessment, international education, individual and organizational performance, health research and communication, human development, usability design and testing, employment equity, and statistical and research methods. The intellectual diversity of our more than 1,100 employees, more than 50 percent of whom hold advanced degrees, enables us to bring together experts in many fields, including education, psychology, sociology, economics, psychometrics, statistics, public health, usability engineering, software design, graphics and video communications—all in the search for innovative answers to any challenge.
We conduct our work within a culture and philosophy of strict independence, objectivity, and non-partisanship, as we tackle society’s most important issues.
Company History
Making research useful and relevant to daily life has been a focus of AIR since it began 59 years ago. Ever since AIR founder John C. Flanagan developed a groundbreaking approach to identifying human success indicators in the workplace, AIR has been blazing trails in the social and behavior sciences.
Now more than ever we are committed to bridging our quality research with every-day practice, shaping healthy behaviors, refining organizational systems, and improving lives.
Benefits
AIR offers a comprehensive Total Compensation package. We provide our employees with competitive base salaries, a generous benefit package, and a workplace that promotes growth, development, and creativity.
Compensation
AIR strives for external and internal equity for all our salaries. We define our external market as the competitor organizations for our talent. Individual performance and growth is rewarded during our merit and promotion cycles.
Transportation
Employees located in the Washington, DC offices may elect to receive either the $105 Metrocheck benefit or subsidized parking on a monthly basis. AIR’s other locations offer free parking.
Education and Training
Tuition Aid Program – Eligible employees may receive up to $5,250 per year to help defray the cost of tuition, fees, and books for educational courses relevant to their work at AIR, or that are required for a job-related degree.
Family Friendly Benefits
Domestic Partner Benefits – Qualifying employees may include their domestic partner in AIR benefits.
Adoption Leave – Employees who adopt a child may receive an additional 4 weeks of Paid Time Off leave (PTO).
Family Events – Include Bring Your Daughter or Son to Work Day, sports outings, and the annual Halloween Party.
Nursing Mothers’ Room – Provided for returning mothers who are nursing their children.
Child/Elder Care Referral – Advice and referrals are available from our Employee Assistance Program provider.
Health/Fitness
Medical Benefits – AIR offers a national PPO health care plan including prescription drug and limited vision coverage through Great-West Healthcare. HMO options also are offered at our larger sites. Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children under 19 (or full-time students) may be covered under these plans.
Dental Benefits – Employees can choose to participate in one of two Delta Dental PPO plans.
Vision Benefits – Employees are eligible to participate in one of two VSP vision insurance plans.
Flexible Spending Accounts – In addition to offering the medical and dental benefits on a pre-tax basis, employees can also elect to participate in the AIR Health or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Flu Shot Clinics – Offered at our larger sites and employees may submit for shot reimbursement if a clinic is not offered at their AIR location.
Weight Watchers – On-site programs are offered every 10 weeks at many of our sites. Participation is voluntary.
MHN – Our Employee Assistance Program is provided by MHN. Their online products and managed behavioral health care services help our employees manage their work, life, and emotional health challenges.
Financial/Savings
Supplement Retirement Annuity Plan (403(b)) – Employees may defer up to 50% of their pay (subject to IRS limits) into investments with TIAA-CREF.
AIR Retirement Plan – AIR contributes to a retirement plan on behalf of all eligible employees. Contributions are based on the employee’s age and length of service.
Banking – Credit Union membership is available at many of the AIR sites.
Life Insurance – Employees are eligible for two or three times their base salary in life and AD&D insurance.
Long-Term Disability – AIR pays the full cost of this insurance for all eligible employees.
Long-Term Care – Insurance is available as a voluntary benefit to all employees.
Legal Services – Discounted legal services, including unlimited telephone advice is offered via our voluntary legal services plan.
Time Off
Holidays – AIR has 10 paid holidays each year.
Paid Time Off – Based on length of service, employees accrue 17 – 29 days per year. Time off may be used for vacation, when you or your family members are sick or when you need personal time off.
Wage Replacement Program – This benefit is available to all employees whose illness or injury keeps them out of work for more than 14 days.
Compassionate Leave – A maximum of 3 days is available for employees to care for a critically ill close family member, to attend a funeral of a close relative, or in the case of extreme personal hardship.
Jury Duty and Military Leave – Paid time is available for employees on jury duty or temporary military duty for up to two weeks.
Leave of Absence – Unpaid leave may be available for one to 12 months to pursue professional interests such as completing an advance degree or visiting professorship. Generally these leaves are without pay.
Other Benefits
Refreshments – Free beverages from coffee and tea to soda are available at most AIR sites.
Longevity Awards – Employees are rewarded for their loyalty to AIR. Starting with 5 years of service, employees are recognized with a certificate and gift commensurate with their service milestone.