The board shall select one of its members as president and shall, after holding a competitive test therefor, employ a chief examiner whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the board, to superintend tests. The chief examiner shall be, ex officio, secretary of the board and shall, under the direction of the board, keep the minutes of all its proceedings, preserve all reports made to it, keep a record and index of all tests held under its direction and perform such other like duties as the board prescribes. The files and records of the board shall be open at all reasonable hours to inspection by the public. The board may incur necessary expenses for travel, compensation of secretary, clerk hire, stationery and other incidental expenses.