R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1.1-4
The director of health shall appoint the chief of the division of occupational health. The appointee shall be in the classified service of the state and shall be responsible to and report to the director. The director shall appoint health compliance inspectors who shall be in the classified service of the state. The director shall appoint other employees that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Health compliance inspectors shall perform all duties necessary to determine compliance with the health provisions of this chapter and shall in this chapter be referred to as "compliance inspectors". Nothing in this section shall be construed as terminating the services of any person now employed within the division of occupational health who is presently qualified and within the classified service of the state. All of those persons shall continue in the service of the division and their titles shall be changed, as necessary, to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1.1-4