There is hereby created job service North Dakota which is charged with administering the provisions of the North Dakota unemployment compensation law and the provisions of the North Dakota state employment service, as set forth in chapter 52-08, which must be administered by a full-time salaried executive director, who is subject to the supervision and direction of the governor. The governor is authorized to appoint, fix the compensation of, and prescribe the duties of the executive director, provided that the appointment must be made on a nonpartisan, merit basis. The duties and responsibilities of the executive director extend to and include the power of full administration of the provisions of the North Dakota unemployment compensation law, and the provisions of chapter 52-08 relating to the North Dakota state employment service, including job insurance programs, and the establishment and maintenance of free public employment offices. The executive director may also establish separate divisions and make separate appointments as the executive director deems advisable for efficient administration of the duties and responsibilities imposed hereunder. Any separate appointments must be on a nonpartisan, merit basis.
N.D.C.C. § 52-02-01