9-2-1706. Department directors; term; authority; division heads.

(a) A department director shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. His term of appointment expires at the end of the term of office of the governor during which he was appointed, unless sooner removed.

(b) A department director serves at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed by him as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. Department directors are not subject to the state compensation or personnel system as conditions of their own employment but are otherwise state employees.

(c) Department directors:

(i) Shall:

(A) Serve as administrative head of the department for which appointed;

(B) Appoint administrators of divisions within the department;

(C) Take the final agency action with respect to all matters, except as otherwise specifically provided by law;

(D) Upon initial appointment prepare a department reorganization plan for submission to the legislature at the budget or general session occurring in the calendar year following the creation of the department. The director shall hold public hearings to receive information to assist in developing the plan.

(ii) May, after implementation of the department's reorganization plan:

(A) Remove administrators at will;

(B) With the approval of the governor, transfer functions or programs within the department, or reorganize the department within the limitations established in the budget and the department reorganization act.

(d) Administrators shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the department director and may be removed by him at any time without cause.