Any career service employee accepting an appointment to an exempt position who is not retained by the appointing officer, unless discharged for cause as provided by this part or county policies made in conformity with this part, shall:
(1) be appointed to any career service position for which the employee qualifies in a pay grade comparable to the employee's last position in the career service provided an opening exists; or
(2) be appointed to any lesser career service position for which the employee qualifies pending the opening of a position described in Subsection (1) of this section.