If the civil service commission, or body performing the functions thereof, in the county finds that any person has been employed by the county, or by any city within a county district, in a position the duties of which, and the qualifications for which, are substantially the same as, or are greater than and include qualifications which are substantially the same as, those of any position in the county district, the civil service commission or such other body, at the request of the air pollution control officer, may certify, without examination, such person as eligible to hold such county district position.