[§342B-63] Small business ombudsman for air pollution control; qualifications; duties. (a) There is created an office of the small business ombudsman for air pollution control in the department which shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the small business ombudsman for air pollution control who shall be appointed by the director for a term of four years. The position of small business ombudsman shall be exempt from the civil service laws pursuant to section [76-16(b)(17)]. The director may remove or suspend for cause the small business ombudsman after due notice and public hearing.
(b) The person appointed as the small business ombudsman shall be experienced in dealing with both private enterprise and government entities; arbitration and negotiation; interpretation of laws and rules; investigation; recordkeeping; report writing; public speaking; and management. All employees of the office shall be hired by the small business ombudsman and shall serve at the small business ombudsman's pleasure. In determining the salary of each employee, the small business ombudsman shall consult with the [department of human resources development] and shall follow as closely as possible the recommendations of the [department of human resources development]. The small business ombudsman and the small business ombudsman's full-time staff shall be entitled to participate in all state employee benefit plans.
(c) The small business ombudsman shall:
(d) The small business ombudsman shall submit to the director an annual report discussing the small business ombudsman's activities under this chapter. [L 1992, c 240, pt of §1]