The election commissioner may appoint one or more assistants, known as assistant election commissioners, who shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the election commissioner, consistent with the compensation policies and pay plan adopted by the board of county commissioners, and shall be paid in the same manner as other county officers and employees. In addition, the election commissioner may hire additional staff as may be needed to effectively operate the office of election commissioner and to conduct the elections required by law, subject to the adopted policies and procedures of the board of county commissioners. Such staff shall be paid and provided employment benefits in the same manner as other county employees.