(1)    There is hereby created a new division of the classified service to be known as the special expert class. The board of city service commissioners shall place in this class all positions of a technical, scientific, or professional character, together with all positions where the qualifications are peculiar to the service in any department of the city government, and may in addition thereto temporarily classify as of the special expert class positions where the service is new and experimental in character.

   (2)   The provisions of ss. 63.18 to 63.53 now governing selections, appointments, promotions, reinstatements, removals, transfers or other changes, shall apply to the special expert class, except as may be otherwise provided in this section.

   (3)   For the filling of positions in the special expert class the appointing officer shall be free to suggest names of persons for consideration in examination together with all other applicants and all other persons whose names have been suggested to the board of city service commissioners, and the board shall inquire into the fitness of persons so nominated and may notify such persons and any other suitable person to participate in the examination.

   (4)   Previous to an examination to fill a position in the special expert class, the board of city service commissioners may provide in its published announcement that the resulting eligible list shall expire as soon as an appointment has been made therefrom, providing the appointing officer so desires. When an appointing officer makes objection in writing to names of persons in the special expert class, certified from an eligible list not especially appropriate for the position or group of positions in question, such certification shall be invalid.

   (5)   The appointing officer shall in all cases be consulted as to qualifications and requirements, examination standards, and procedure for filling positions in the special expert class.

   (6)   In filling positions in the special expert class the board of city service commissioners shall select a board of one or more experts to conduct the examination when requested in writing to do so by an appointing officer.

   (7)   Whenever the board of city service commissioners or the officer having the power of appointment shall deem it advisable in the interests of the service, no qualifications as to residence or citizenship shall be imposed in the examination for a position in the special expert class. Any restrictions contained in any law, or in any charter of any city of the first class inconsistent with this provision shall not be applicable in such case.