California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 130120

The state commission shall, within three months after a majority of its voting members have been appointed, hire an executive director. The state commission shall thereafter hire such other staff as necessary or appropriate. The executive director and staff shall be compensated as determined by the state commission, consistent with moneys available for appropriation in the Administration Account. All professional staff employees of the state commission shall be exempt from civil service. The executive director shall act under the authority of, and in accordance with the direction of, the state commission.