[§371K-2]  Office of community services,establishment.  (a)  There is established within the department of laborand industrial relations, for administrative purposes only, an office ofcommunity services.  The following shall be among the programs to be under theauspices of and coordinated through the office:

(1)  Progressive neighborhoods program;

(2)  Hawaii office of economic opportunity;

(3)  Refugee resettlement program; and

(4)  State immigrant services center.

(b)  The head of the office shall be known asthe executive director of the office of community services, hereinafterreferred to as executive director.  The executive director shall have: training and experience in the field of social work, education, public health,or related fields; direct experience in programs and services related todisadvantaged persons, refugees, or immigrants; and experience in asupervisory, consultative, or administrative capacity.  The executive directorshall be appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76, and shall becompensated at a salary level no less than that of a second deputy.  Theexecutive director shall be included in any benefit program generallyapplicable to the officers and employees of the State. [L 1985, c 305, pt of§1; am L 2000, c 253, §150]