California Code, Water Code - WAT § 13220

(a) Establish an office.

(b) Select one of its members as chairperson at the first regular meeting held each year.

(c) Appoint as its confidential employee, who may be exempt from civil service under Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution, and fix the salary of, an executive officer who shall meet technical qualifications as defined by the state board. The executive officer shall serve at the pleasure of the regional board.

(d) Employ any other assistants that may be determined necessary to assist the executive officer.