The director shall have charge and general supervision of the department of revenue. The director shall appoint an assistant director for administration, hereinafter in chapter 26, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. referred to as the assistant director, and subject to the provisions of chapter
41.06 RCW may appoint and employ such clerical, technical and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the department. The director may also enter into personal service contracts with out-of-state individuals or business entities for the performance of auditing services outside the state of Washington when normal efforts to recruit classified employees are unsuccessful. The director may agree to pay to the department's employees or contractors who reside out of state such amounts in addition to their ordinary rate of compensation as are necessary to defray the extra costs of facilities, living, and other costs reasonably related to the out-of-state services, subject to legislative appropriation for those purposes. The special allowances shall be in such amounts or at such rates as are approved by the office of financial management. This section does not apply to audit functions performed in states contiguous to the state of Washington.