(a) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to department heads except as provided in this section.
(b) A “department head” means an employee in a supervisory capacity who is directly responsible to the elected governing body for the direction and execution of policies and services on city work projects and duties.
(c) Department heads shall be designated in the salary ordinance, and their status shall be a matter of fact, subject to subsection (b) of this section and the appeal provisions of the ordinance.
(d) Any employee who has established a classification under the provisions of the ordinance and who has been promoted, elevated, transferred, or otherwise placed in the capacity of a department head shall, upon termination of employment as a departmental head, be permitted to return to his or her previous classified job or to any position for which he or she may qualify with full accumulated seniority.
(e) No provision of this section shall be construed as amending public law requirements for licenses or education.