The executive head and appointing authority of the department shall be the secretary of social and health services. He shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. He shall be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040. If a vacancy occurs in his position while the senate is not in session, the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the senate, when he shall present to that body his nomination for the office.

[1970 ex.s. c 18 § 4.]