There is established within the department the division of operations, under the supervision of an unclassified director of operations, who shall be a registered professional engineer and shall be responsible for the following functions, in accordance with applicable law:
I. Maintenance and supervision of the state transportation network.
II. Maintenance of department equipment.
III. Issuing of all permits, registrations, and licenses for which the department is responsible with the exception of those issued by the division of aeronautics, rail, and transit.