The department shall be in charge of a Director of Publicity. The director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Governor shall fix the compensation of the director in accordance with the provisions of Section 36-6-6. The director shall appoint division and unit heads and such assistants and employees as may be necessary to the efficient operation of the department. All employees of the department shall be subject to the provisions of the Merit System Act. It is further provided, however, that all persons employed by the department for positions in state welcoming centers as of June 22, 1979, shall retain their employment positions with the department. All such persons so retained by the department shall immediately receive all benefits and privileges of the state Merit System law in the same manner and to the same extent as other Merit System employees of the state. All persons employed by the department after June 22, 1979, shall be employed subject to the provisions of the state Merit System law and such other state and federal laws, including state and federal court requirements and mandates, as may be applicable. It is further provided that any person, who is now serving as a Capitol hostess, and has been so employed for a period of 12 months immediately preceding June 22, 1979, without Merit System status, shall become an employee of the department with automatic classification under the state Merit System as a welcome center worker. The duties of such person shall include assignment to the Capitol building as a hostess.