California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 185024

(a) The authority shall appoint an executive director, exempt from civil service, who shall serve at the pleasure of the authority, to administer the affairs of the authority as directed by the authority.

(b) For purposes of managing and administering the ongoing work of the authority in implementing the high-speed train project, the Governor, upon the recommendation of the executive director, may appoint up to six additional individuals, exempt from civil service, who shall serve at the pleasure of the executive director.  Pursuant to this subdivision, the Governor may appoint persons only for the following positions:

(c) The compensation of the executive director and the additional persons authorized by subdivision (b) shall be established by the authority, and approved by the Department of Human Resources, in an amount that is reasonably necessary, in the discretion of the authority, to attract and hold a person of superior qualifications.  The authority shall cause to be conducted, through the use of independent outside advisers, a salary survey to determine the compensation for the positions under this subdivision.  The Department of Human Resources may, in its discretion, accept a previously completed salary survey that meets the requirements of this subdivision, and shall review the methodology used in the survey.  The salary survey shall consider both of the following:

(d) The executive director may, as authorized by the authority, appoint necessary staff to carry out the provisions of this part.