§29-35-4. Employees of the office.

(a) The West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Officer shall have the power to hire, administer, and manage employees necessary to fulfill its responsibilities:

(1) 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 necessary federal and/or state funds;

(3) Each 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) Due to the at-will employment relationship with the office, its employees may not avail themselves of the state grievance procedure as set forth in §6C-2-1 et seq. of this code;

(5) Employees may participate in the PEIA, PERS, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation programs, or their equivalents; and

(6) All employees and officers of the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Office who are entrusted with funds or property shall execute surety bonds.

(b) The West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Officer will set appropriate salary rates for employees equivalent to a competitive wage rate necessary to support a specific mission.