(a) (1) In the Office of the Secretary, the Secretary shall have assistants, professional consultants, and employees as provided in the State budget.
(2) The Secretary may designate a staff assistant to be in charge of a particular area of responsibility within the Office of the Secretary.
(b) In the Office of the Secretary:
(1) each staff assistant in charge of a particular area of responsibility and each professional consultant serves at the pleasure of the Secretary; and
(2) except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and may remove all other employees in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article.