(a) The Secretary of the Department of Administration shall appoint the director. The director shall be a person knowledgeable of the application of the merit principles in public employment as evidenced by the obtainment of a degree in business administration, personnel administration, public administration or the equivalent or at least five years of administrative experience. The salary for the director shall be that which is set out in section two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code.

(b) The director shall:

(1) Consistent with the provisions of this article, administer the operations of the division, allocating the functions and activities of the division among sections as the director may establish;

(2) Maintain a personnel management information system necessary to carry out the provisions of this article;

(3) Supervise payrolls and audit payrolls, reports or transactions for conformity with the provisions of this article;

(4) Plan, evaluate, administer and implement personnel programs and policies in state government and to political subdivisions after agreement by the parties;

(5) Supervise the employee selection process and employ performance evaluation procedures;

(6) Develop programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the public service, including, but not limited to, employee training, development, assistance and incentives, which, notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, may include a one-time monetary incentive for recruitment and retention of employees in critically understaffed classifications. The director, in consultation with the board, shall determine which classifications are critically understaffed. The one-time monetary incentive program shall continue until June 30, 2009. The director shall report annually on or before December 31, commencing in the year 2007, to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. The annual report shall provide all relevant information on the one-time monetary incentive program and the understaffed classifications in state agencies;

(7) Establish pilot programs and other projects for a maximum of one year outside of the provisions of this article, subject to approval by the board, to be included in the annual report;

(8) Establish and provide for a public employee interchange program and may provide for a voluntary employee interchange program between public and private sector employees;

(9) Establish an internship program;

(10) Assist the Governor and Secretary of the Department of Administration in general workforce planning and other personnel matters;

(11) Make an annual report to the Governor and Legislature and all other special or periodic reports as may be required;

(12) Assess cost for special or other services;

(13) Recommend rules to the board for implementation of this article; and

(14) Conduct schools, seminars or classes for supervisory employees of the state regarding handling of complaints and disciplinary matters and the operation of the state personnel system.