(a) The director may establish personnel policies and salary schedules for all employees of the department. The director may appoint assistant directors who shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state. The positions of director, deputy director, and assistant director may not be limited by Sections 36-6-5 and 36-6-6.
(b) Subject to the Merit System, the director may appoint or employ such other professional, technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out this chapter. The salary of these personnel shall be determined by the Governor and the State Personnel Board in accordance with Section 36-26-12. The director may make expenditures from the appropriation for these personnel, or from other funds made available for purposes of homeland security.
(c) One of the assistant directors shall be the state Director of Emergency Management, whose position shall also include the title of Assistant Director of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. Any conflicting provisions in Section 31-9-4 to this section shall be void.
(d) The employees of the department shall represent the diversity of the state and shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.