(a)
The trustee may employ any staff necessary to assist him or her.
(b)
To facilitate the appointment of the trustee and the employment of any necessary staff, for the purposes of this section, the trustee is exempt from the requirements of Article 6 (commencing with Section 999) of Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.
(c)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the trustee may appoint employees of the state to assist the trustee for up to the duration of the trusteeship. The salary and benefits of the employees shall be established by the trustee and paid by the county. During the time of the appointment, the employees shall be deemed to be employees of the county but shall remain in the same retirement system under the same plan as if the employee had remained an employee of the state. Upon the expiration or termination of the appointment, the employee shall have the right to return to his or her former position, or to a position at substantially the same level as that position, with the state. The time served in the appointment shall be counted for all purposes as if the employee had served that time in his or her former position with the state.