The board may appoint and employ a qualified person to be designated as city forester or by some similar title, to take charge of and direct, subject to the supervision and control of the board, all of the work authorized to be done under this part. The board may, if a city forester has not been appointed, fix the term of and compensation for the position of city forester, and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for the position and remove at pleasure persons so appointed and employed. If the method of employing and compensating a city forester is otherwise regulated by law or ordinance the law or the ordinance shall govern and control as to such matters.