(A) The Executive Director of the Department of Employment and Workforce must be appointed pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 41-27-720.

(B) The committee must nominate three applicants found qualified to serve as executive director for the Governor's consideration. In making nominations to the Governor, the committee should consider race, gender, national origin, and other demographic factors to ensure nondiscrimination to the greatest extent possible as to all segments of the population of the State. The committee must also give due consideration to a person's ability, area of expertise, dedication, compassion, common sense, and integrity. If fewer than three applicants are found qualified to serve as executive director, the committee must resolicit for applicants and continue the screening process until three applicants are found qualified and nominated.

(1) A person may not be appointed to serve as permanent executive director unless the committee finds the person qualified.

(2) The Governor must transmit the name of his appointee to the Senate for advice and consent.

(3) If the Governor rejects all of the nominees, the committee must reopen the nominating process.

(C) For the committee to find a person qualified, he must have:

(1) a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from:

(a) a recognized institution of higher learning requiring face to face contact between its students and instructors prior to completion of the academic program;

(b) an institution of higher learning that has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting body; or

(c) an institution of higher learning chartered before 1962; and

(2) a background of substantial duration and expertise in business, labor and employment, employment benefits, human resource management, or five years' experience as a practicing attorney.

(D) The committee may find a person qualified although he does not have a background of substantial duration and expertise in one of the five enumerated areas contained in subsection (C)(2) of this section if two-thirds of the committee vote to qualify this candidate and provide written justification of their decision in the report as to the qualifications of the candidates.

HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 146, Section 119, eff March 30, 2010.

Code Commissioner's Note

Pursuant to the directive to the Code Commissioner in 2010 Act No. 146, Section 114, "Department of Employment and Workforce" was substituted for "Department of Workforce".

Editor's Note

2010 Act No. 146, Section 111, provides as follows:

"In making appointments and hiring decisions for positions pursuant to this act, the governing authority or individual tasked with making such appointment or hiring decision must consider race, gender, and other demographic factors to assure nondiscrimination, inclusion, and representation to the greatest extent possible of all segments of the population of this State; however, consideration of these factors in no way creates a cause of action or basis for an employee grievance for a person appointed or for a person who fails to be appointed."

2010 Act No. 146, Section 121, provides as follows:

"The Governor must appoint a person meeting the requirements for executive director provided in this act to serve as interim executive director. The interim executive director serves until March 31, 2011, or until a successor is appointed pursuant to this act. The interim executive director is appointed upon the advice and consent of the Senate."