The county welfare board may appoint a deputy director of welfare who shall:
a. Have the qualifications of a director of welfare and shall have resided in the state for at least one year;
b. Be under the direction of the director of welfare; and
c. Be vested on approval of the county welfare board with the same power as a director of welfare in the distribution of relief, with like authority for the prosecution or defense in court proceedings as is vested in a director of welfare.