Subject to the approval of the defender council, the state public defender may employ assistant state public defenders and other employees, including investigators, as may be necessary to discharge the function of the office. Assistant state¹ public defenders shall be qualified to practice before the supreme court of this State. Assistant state public defenders shall be appointed without regard to chapter 76 and shall serve at the pleasure of the state public defender. All other employees may be appointed in accordance with chapter 76. An assistant state public defender may be employed on a part-time basis, and when so employed, the assistant public defender may engage in the general practice of law, other than in the practice of criminal law.