(a) The Commissioner shall be ex officio state entomologist.

(b) The Commissioner is authorized to designate a chief entomologist, who must be a graduate of a recognized college of agriculture and shall have had courses in entomology and plant pathology and experience in field and administrative work in pest control while in the employment of one or more of the several states of the United States or in the employment of that branch of the federal government which is in charge of pest control. The chief entomologist shall serve at the pleasure of and shall be compensated in an amount determined by the Commissioner.