The commission shall choose by competitive examination a personnel director upon a basis of education, technical knowledge of personnel work, and knowledge of township government and its operation, and such other assistants and employees as may be necessary. The compensation of the personnel director and other assistants and employees shall be fixed by the commission subject to the approval of the township board. The personnel director shall act as secretary of the commission. The civil service commission of any township, if authorized by the township board and subject to its approval, may contract with a county, city or another township for the use and services of its examiners, clerks and offices and all the facilities of the civil service system. The civil service commission shall provide by regulation for the hours and conditions of service, for the length and period of vacations, and for the regulation of sick leaves in the township service, and for such other matters pertaining to the carrying out of the provisions of this act. No applicant shall be required by any rule or regulation of the commission to submit photographs for the purpose of identification, nor shall any such applicant be discriminated against by reason of race, color, creed or political affiliation.