(a) The chief administrative and executive officer of the office shall be the director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Department of Early Childhood Education. The director shall be responsible for the performance and exercise of the duties, responsibilities, functions, powers, and authority imposed upon the director and the office by law and as directed by the secretary. The director shall be in the unclassified service of the state Merit System and shall receive a salary in an amount to be determined by the secretary. The director shall employ an assistant who shall also serve in the unclassified position of the state Merit System.
(b) The director shall employ all qualified personnel of the office, subject to the state Merit System.