(a) General rule.--The clerk of the orphans' court division of each county shall be selected, and may be removed, in the manner provided by the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the "Second Class County Code," or the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as "The County Code," as the case may be. The office shall be combined with another county office when so provided by statute.
(b) Philadelphia.--The Register of Wills of Philadelphia shall serve ex officio as Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.