(1) For purposes of the State Personnel Relations Law, each assistant director appointed under ORS 409.130, and any other officer specifically designated by law, is considered to be the appointing authority with respect to officers and employees under the supervision of the assistant director or other officer, and ORS 240.400 applies to each such appointing authority.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the Director of Human Services at any time may assign an employee from one position to another position in the same class or rank within the department. Upon making such an assignment or transfer, the director forthwith shall give written notice of the action to the Administrator of the Personnel Division. ORS 240.400 applies to the power vested in the director under this subsection.