The commissioner is authorized to employ personnel in accordance with the laws of this state, to procure necessary equipment, supplies, and service, to enter into contracts, to provide funds to any agency of the United States for work or services under sections 89.51 to 89.64, and to designate or appoint, as the commissioner’s representatives, employees of cooperators, including employees of the United States or any agency thereof. The commissioner may prescribe rules for carrying out the purposes of this section.