All officers and employees who were engaged immediately prior to the effective date of this act in the performance of powers, duties and functions of the state food service and lodging board and who, in the opinion of the secretary of health and environment, are necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the department of health and environment, shall become officers and employees of the department of health and environment. Any such officer or employee shall retain all retirement benefits and rights of civil service which had accrued to or vested in such officer or employee prior to the effective date of this act, and the service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous. All transfers and any abolishment of positions of personnel in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act shall be in accordance with civil service laws and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder.