The director shall determine the number of surface mining reclamation supervisors and inspectors needed to carry out the purposes of this article and appoint them as such. All such appointees shall be qualified civil service employees, but no person is eligible for such appointment until he or she has served in a probationary status for a period of six months to the satisfaction of the director.
Every surface mining reclamation supervisor shall be paid not less than $30,000 per year. Every surface mining reclamation inspector shall be paid not less than $25,000 per year.