Subject to the rules of the department of developmental disabilities, each institution under the jurisdiction of the department shall be under the control of a managing officer to be known as a superintendent or by other appropriate title. The managing officer shall be appointed by the director of developmental disabilities and shall be in the unclassified service and serve at the pleasure of the director. Each managing officer shall be of good moral character and have skill, ability, and experience in the managing officer’s profession. Appointment to the position of managing officer of an institution may be made from persons holding positions in the classified service in the department.

The managing officer, under the director, shall have entire executive charge of the institution for which the managing officer is appointed, except as provided in section 5119.44 of the Revised Code. Subject to civil service rules and rules adopted by the department, the managing officer shall appoint the necessary employees, and the managing officer or the director may remove those employees for cause. A report of all appointments, resignations, and discharges shall be filed with the appropriate division at the close of each month.

After conference with the managing officer of each institution, the director shall determine the number of employees to be appointed to the various institutions and clinics.