(1) The position of director will be filled by appointment by the commission. The director shall hold office as such at the pleasure of the commission.

(2) The director shall serve as the chief executive officer of the commission and shall perform such duties as are incident to his office and as are properly required of him by the commission from time to time, and shall receive such salary as the commissioners may from time to time fix. The director, upon approval of the commission and acting within the scope of the rules and regulations governing the operation of state agencies in the state of Washington, may employ such persons and incur such expenditures as are necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes for which the canal commission has been formed.

(3) The director shall serve as a recording secretary to the commission acting in such capacity at the direction and advice of the secretary.