There is hereby established in the department of health and human services an office of statistical services, which shall install, maintain, and operate a system of health statistics tabulation and analysis and a system of vital records registration throughout the state. The commissioner of the department of health and human services or designee may create within the office of statistical services such working divisions as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of this chapter and shall appoint the directors of such divisions in accordance with the merit system laws and regulations of the state of North Dakota.