(a) The director of the Utility Finance Section shall employ an assistant director who shall be employed at the pleasure of the commission and as provided by law.

(b) The director shall employ such accountants, statisticians, experts, and clerical personnel as are necessary for the effective performance of the duties of the section.

(c) With the concurrence of the state merit system compensation board, certain employees of the section may be included in the "unclassified service" in addition to those currently provided by paragraph (15) of Code Section 45-20-2. The state merit system regulations and restrictions concerning compensation and promotion shall not apply to such employees.