Organization of the department of agriculture

(a) The secretary of agriculture may organize the department of agriculture in the manner the secretary deems most efficient, so long as the same is not in conflict with the provisions of this act or with the provisions of law, and the secretary may establish policies governing the transaction of business of the department and the administration of each of the divisions within the department. Except as provided in K.S.A. 83-205, and amendments thereto, the chief administrative officer of each division of the department shall be within the classified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the secretary of agriculture may prescribe and such duties and powers as are prescribed by law. Such chief administrative officers shall act for and exercise the powers of the secretary of agriculture to the extent authority to do so is delegated by the secretary of agriculture. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this act, and subject to the Kansas civil service act, the chief administrative officer of each division of the department of agriculture shall appoint all subordinate officers and employees of such officer's division, subject to the approval of the secretary, and all such subordinate officers and employees shall be within the classified service of the Kansas civil service act. Personnel of each such division shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the chief administrative officer of their division to the extent authority to do so is delegated by such administrative officer.