(a) The department may employ, compensate, and prescribe the duties of personnel necessary and suitable to administer this chapter.
(b) The executive commissioner shall prepare and by rule adopt personnel standards.

(c) A personnel position may be filled only by an individual selected and appointed on a nonpartisan merit basis.
(d) The commissioner, with the advice of the council, shall develop and the department shall implement policies that clearly define the responsibilities of the staff of the department.