§29-34-4. Employees.

(a) The State Recovery and Hope Officer shall have the power to hire, administer, and manage employees, but only to the extent necessary to fulfill the office’s responsibilities.

(1) Any and all employees will be exempt from both the classified services category and the classified-exempt services category as set forth in §29-6-4 of this code.

(2) Employee positions are contingent upon the receipt of the necessary federal or state funds, or both.

(3) Any employee hired shall be deemed an at-will employee who may be discharged or released from his or her respective position without cause or reason.

(4) Any employee may participate in the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the Public Employees Retirement System, and workers' compensation and unemployment compensation programs, or their equivalents.

(5) Any employees and officers of the State Recovery and Hope Office who are entrusted with funds or property shall execute surety bonds.

(b) The State Recovery and Hope Officer will set appropriate salary rates for any employees equivalent to a competitive wage rate necessary to support a specific mission.