Except as otherwise provided in this order, on the effective date of this order, officers and employees who, immediately prior to such date, were engaged in the performance of powers, duties or functions of any state agency or office that is abolished by this order, or that becomes a part of the Kansas department of wildlife and parks, or the powers, duties and functions of which are transferred to the secretary of wildlife and parks, and who, in the opinion of the secretary of wildlife and parks, are necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the Kansas department of wildlife and parks, shall be transferred to, and shall become officers and employees of the department. Any such officer or employee shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service that had accrued to or vested in such officer or employee prior to the effective date of this order. The service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous.