The judge or judges of any court of criminal jurisdiction, including municipal courts, may appoint, with the prior approval of the governing body of the county or city involved, and at pleasure remove, parole and probation officers and clerical assistants that may be necessary. Parole and probation officers appointed by the court shall be selected because of definite qualifications as to character, personality, ability and training. In courts where more than one parole and probation officer is appointed, one shall be designated chief parole and probation officer and shall have general supervision of the probation work of parole and probation officers appointed by and under the direction of the court. Appointments shall be in writing and entered on the records of the court. Parole and probation officers and clerical assistants appointed under this section are not state officers or employees, and their compensation and expenses shall not be paid by the state. [Amended by 1971 c.633 § 12; 1973 c.836 § 274; 1981 s.s. c.3 § 38; 2005 c.264 § 9]