(a) The governor may establish, within the department, a division of forestry and fire protection to carry out this chapter and other appropriate duties designated by the governor.
(b) The division shall be headed by a director who shall be the state forester, appointed to the partially exempt service in accordance with law by the commissioner, from a list of two or more candidates submitted by the board. The commissioner shall solicit and consider recommendations of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association or successor organization when reviewing the candidates submitted by the board. The commissioner may reject all candidates, in which case the board shall submit a new list. The state forester shall have (1) a bachelor's or higher degree in forest management and at least three years of field experience in forestry; or
(2) at least eight years of professional work experience as a forester.
(c) The commissioner shall administer this chapter and is authorized and encouraged to delegate responsibilities for carrying out this chapter to the state forester.