The Secretary of the Department of Human Resources shall have the following powers, duties and functions:

(1) To supervise, direct and account for the administration and operation of the Department, its divisions, subdivisions, offices, functions and employees.

(2) To supervise and direct all human resources and benefits employees in executive branch agencies subject to terms and conditions of negotiated service level agreements with executive branch agencies.

(3) To appoint and fix the salary, with the written approval of the Governor, of the following administrators, who may be removed from office by the Secretary with the written approval of the Governor and who shall have such powers, duties and functions in the administration and operation of the Department as may be assigned by the Secretary and shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office:

a. A Deputy Secretary position in the Department.

b. A Director of Personnel Management.

c. A Chief Diversity Officer.

d. A Director of Labor Relations and Employment Practices.

e. A Director of Statewide Benefits.

f. The Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy.

(4) To appoint such additional personnel as may be necessary for the administration and operation of the Department within such limitations as may be imposed by law.

(5) To establish, consolidate or abolish such divisions, subdivisions and offices within the Department or transfer or combine the powers, duties and functions of the divisions and other groups within the Department, with the written approval of the Governor, as may be necessary, provided that all powers, duties and functions required by law shall be provided for and maintained.

(6) To make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipulations, to retain, employ and contract for the services of private and public consultants, research and technical personnel and to procure by contract, consulting, research, technical and other services and facilities, whenever they shall be deemed by the Secretary necessary or desirable in the performance of the functions of the Department and whenever funds shall be available for such purpose, with the specific requirement that all necessary legal services be provided pursuant to Chapter 25 of this title.

(7) To approve and sign all collective bargaining agreements on behalf of the State.

(8) To delegate any of the Secretary’s powers, duties or functions to an individual in paragraph (3) of this section, except the power to remove employees of the Department or to fix their compensation.

(9) To establish and to promulgate such rules and regulations governing the administration and operation of the Department as may be deemed necessary by the Secretary and which are not inconsistent with the laws of this State.

(10) To maintain such facilities throughout the State as may be required for the effective and efficient operation of the Department.

(11) To adopt an official seal or seals for the Department;

(12) To accept and to receive, in furtherance of the Department’s function, funds, grants and services from the federal government or its agencies.

(13) To assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Governor may assign that are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this State.

(14) To prepare, in cooperation with the division directors, a proposed budget for the operation of the Department, to be submitted for the consideration of the Governor and the General Assembly. The Department shall be operated within the limitation of the annual appropriation and any other funds appropriated by the General Assembly, with the provision that special funds may be used in accordance with approved programs, grants and appropriations.

81 Del. Laws, c. 66, § ?1; 70 Del Laws, c. 186,, § ?1;