(a) The multicounty public defender shall employ, with the advice and consent of the council and its director and in the manner and at the compensation prescribed by the council, as many assistant attorneys, clerks, investigators, stenographers, and other persons as may be necessary for carrying out his responsibility under this article. A person employed under this Code section serves at the pleasure of the multicounty public defender and the council's director.

(b) No person may be assigned the primary responsibility of representing an indigent person accused of a capital offense for which the death penalty is sought unless such person is authorized to practice law in this state and is otherwise competent to counsel and defend a person charged with a capital felony.