Appointment of federal employees to State positions. At the discretion of the Director of Central Management Services, any certified or probationary employee of any Federal office, agency or institution in the State of Illinois which is closed by the Federal Government may be appointed to a comparable position in State service, without competitive selection. Such persons will attain certified status provided they pass a qualifying examination prescribed by the Director within 6 months after being so appointed, and provided they thereafter satisfactorily complete their respective probationary periods. Such qualifying examinations shall be of the same kind as those required for entrance examinations for comparable positions. Appointments of such employees shall be without regard to the competitive selection process provisions of this Code.