(1) The sheriff, as soon as possible after taking office, shall, except in counties with a population of less than 750, appoint an undersheriff to serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The undersheriff has the same powers and duties as a deputy sheriff.
(2) A deputy sheriff appointed undersheriff as provided in subsection (1) shall resume other duties within the sheriff's office, while maintaining tenure and seniority, if the sheriff appoints another to succeed the deputy sheriff as undersheriff. Upon the return to the position of deputy sheriff, the person must be paid the same salary the person would have received had the person not taken the undersheriff position.